Understanding 〜は (ha): A Streetwise JLPT N5 Grammar Guide

おれの くるま は おそい です。
ore no kuruma wa osoi desu.
My whip is slow

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Now, this little joint is the kingpin. It sets the whole damn scene. Think of it like this: は (wa) tells you who or what the whole sentence is about. It introduces the main topic, the star of the show, the big boss. Everything that comes after the は (wa) is about that topic. It’s like the homie who pulls up and says, “As for me… I’m about to get this money.”

The real tricky part is when you gotta deal with its rival, が (ga). Now listen close, ’cause this is some advanced street smarts. は (wa) introduces a topic that’s already known to you and the person you’re talkin’ to. It’s like, you both know who the boss is, so you just say his name and go from there. が (ga), on the other hand, introduces somethin’ or someone new to the conversation. It’s like pointin’ a finger and sayin’, “Yo, THAT cat is the one who did it!” は (wa) is general, が (ga) is specific. You feel me?


This ain’t no verb, so there’s no conjugation table for this one, ya heard? It’s a particle. It just sticks to the end of a noun or a phrase to mark the topic. Straight up.


Think of は (wa) like a crew’s territory. Once you put that marker down, everyone knows who runs that block. Anything that happens on that block is part of your crew’s business. You put は (wa) after a noun, and it marks that noun as the “territory” for the rest of the sentence.


Ya gotta know the lingo to survive on the streets. Check out the vocabulary.

しじ (shiji)

English: Order; command; direction.

You hear a lot of cats talk about givin’ out “shiji,” know what I’m sayin’? That’s the word you use when you ain’t just askin’ for somethin’. It’s when you layin’ down the law, droppin’ a direct order. Like, the big boss man tellin’ his crew exactly what to do and how to do it. You don’t question it. You just follow the plan, no exceptions. That’s a real “shiji.”


ふく (fuku)

English: Clothing; clothes.

In this game, your “fuku” is your uniform, fam. It ain’t just what you wearin’—it’s how you representin’. Whether you rockin’ a clean suit for a big meetin’ or a hoodie to stay low-key, your gear tells a story. Gotta make sure your fuku is on point, fresh to death, so you look official and ready for whatever.


さいふ (saifu)

English: Wallet.

So you got your “saifu,” your money clip, your coin purse—whatever you call it. This ain’s just a holder for your cash. This is the whole bag, know what I’m sayin’? It’s where you keep the paper, the credit cards, your ID. This is the heart of your operation, the main stash. You gotta keep a close eye on your saifu at all times.


かんぺき (kanpeki)

English: Perfect; flawless.

When you see somethin’ that’s “kanpeki,” that means it’s on a whole ‘nother level. It’s flawless. No mistakes, no loose ends, nothin’ you can even nitpick. Like when you pull off a job and every detail is locked down tight. No witnesses, no evidence, the whole operation goes off without a hitch. That’s “kanpeki.” You can’t improve on it.


なかま (nakama)

English: Comrade; friend; crew.

Your “nakama” ain’t just your homeboys. This is your family, your ride-or-die crew. The ones who got your back no matter what, through thick and thin. The ones you trust with your life. We talkin’ loyalty, respect, and a bond that can’t be broken. When you rollin’ deep, you better know your nakama is solid.


Here are 10 examples so you can practice puttin’ this particle to work. Don’t be a rookie. Learn this and you’ll be one step closer to bein’ fluent in this game.

かれ の しじ は ぜったい だ。
ka re no shi ji wa zet tai da.
His orders are absolute.

おれ の なかま は つよい です。
o re no na ka ma wa tsu yo i desu.
My crew is strong.

ボス は こわい です。
bo su wa ko wa i desu.
The boss is scary.

おれ の じゅう は おもい です。
o re no jyuu wa o mo i desu.
My tool is heavy.

この とおり は あぶない です。
ko no to o ri wa a bu na i desu.
This street is dangerous.

この ふく は たかい です。
ko no fu ku wa ta ka i desu.
These threads are pricey.

この まち は おれ たち の もの だ。
ko no ma chi wa o re ta chi no mo no da.
This town belongs to us.

この さいふ は かるい です。
ko no sai fu wa ka ru i desu.
This wallet is light.

この けいかく は かんぺき だ。
ko no kei ka ku wa kan pe ki da.
This plan is perfect.

あの じゅう は おれ の だ。
a no jyuu wa o re no da.
That gun is mine.


Stay real, and keep hustlin’. Peace out.

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