The hiragana for the wa in anata wa (for example) is given as the ha sound, not the wa sound. But it is pronounced as wa. Why is there this discrepency?
Hiragana ha versys wa
(deleted)
February 5, 2012
Sayaka-Matsuura
February 21, 2012
Hi Roger,
Good question!
In the example you gave, 'wa' is used as a particle. Whenever 'wa' is used as a particle is is written using the hiragana 'ha'. This is a rule to keep in mind when you practice writing or typing Japanese.
-Sayaka san
CatPanda
March 25, 2012
You use は for marking sentence subjects and read it as わ.
You also use は for indicating the は sound when spelling things... such as spelling 花（はな）.
You use わ only for spelling things with a わ sound in them... such as 電話（でんわ）.
As for why the difference in the different readings of は... I don't know... I doubt Japanese people would really know the origin of this either, but if the RJ team happens to know that'd be a cool tidbit of history.
Want to post a comment? Just sign up for a free Rocket Languages trial
Select one of the languages below and sign up in 60 seconds. Join our user forum and experience Rocket Languages for yourself!
Most Popular Articles
Top 10 Japanese hacks
Whether you've been studying Japanese for years or are considering giving Japanese a try, the following 10 hacks and simple tricks can help you to learn Japanese fast and effectively.
How Long Does It Take To Learn Japanese
Learning a language is a complex process that is different for each individual based on several different factors. Let's take a look at these different factors and how they impact how fast you learn Japanese.
Let's get you talking in Japanese.
We love Japanese people and Japanese culture - from riveting anime and comforting ramen to the majestic Mt. Fuji and the breathtaking sights of Kyōto! And there's no better way to connect with them than by learning 日本語 (Japanese).