とは

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See also: とば

Japanese

Particle

とは (to wa

  1. indicates that a word or a phrase is to be defined or explained
    ()(すう)とは(なに)(まな)だ。
    Sosū to wa nani ka o mananda.
    I learnt what a prime number was.
    (げん)()(りょく)とは
    “Genshiryoku” to wa?
    What is "nuclear power"?
  2. (more emphatic) Synonym of (to, with)
    あいつとはもう(かん)(けい)ない
    Aitsu to wa mō kankei nai.
    I have nothing to do with them anymore.
    ()()とは(ちが)()(ぶん)
    kako to wa chigau jibun
    a self who is different from the past
  3. Short for とは思わなかった (to wa omowanakatta, did not think that ...).
    まさか()(さつ)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