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とは. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
とは, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
とは in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
とは you have here. The definition of the word
とは will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
とは, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Japanese
Particle
とは • (to wa)
- indicates that a word or a phrase is to be defined
- 素数とは何かを学んだ。
- Sosū to wa nani ka o mananda.
- I learnt what a prime number was.
- 「原子力」とは？
- “Genshiryoku” to wa?
- What is "nuclear power"?
- (more emphatic) Synonym of と (to, “with”)
- あいつとはもう関係ない。
- Aitsu to wa mō kankei nai.
- I have nothing to do with them anymore.
- 過去とは違う自分
- kako to wa chigau jibun
- a self who is different from the past
- Short for とは思わなかった (to wa omowanakatta, “did not think that ...”).
- まさか自殺するとは……
- Masaka jisatsu suru to wa……
- I never would have thought that he/she would kill himself/herself...
Usage notes
- This particle is often used, for example, in encyclopedias to define entries.
- When used alone with a word it denotes the meaning of "this word is defined as?" and may be translated as "about" or "What is".
See also