Video
Let’s watch this short video for a quick overview.
Source: gokigen japanese official YouTube Channel
Introduction
Want to say “Alice has big eyes” or “My sister has long hair” in Japanese?
There’s a simple and powerful sentence structure that lets you describe physical features and personal characteristics clearly:
N1 は N2 が Adj です
“As for N1, N2 is [adjective]”
This is one of the most natural ways to describe parts of someone or something in Japanese. Let’s learn how it works!
1. Sentence Pattern: N1 は N2 が Adj です
This pattern literally means:
“As for N1, N2 is Adj.” or “In the context of N1, N2 is Adj.”
- N1 = the topic (usually a person or thing)
- N2 = a specific part or feature of N1
- Adj = adjective describing N2
Example Sentences:
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| トムさんは足が大きいです。 | Tom has big feet. = As for Tom, his feet are big. |
| ゆいさんは髪が長いです。 | Yui has long hair. = As for Yui, her hair is long. |
| アリスさんは目が大きいです。 | Alice has big eyes. |
| 父は背が高いです。 | My dad is tall. |
| 先生は頭がいいです。 | The teacher is smart. |
2. Usage Tips
Why Use が for N2?
The が particle highlights the specific thing being described.
It answers the question: What is big / long / smart?
- Topic は → general context
- Subject が → focus of description
Think of it like this:
“As for [person], [body part or characteristic] is [adj].”
3. Common Mistake: Double “は” ❌
Be careful not to say:
❌ この犬はしっぽは長いです。
✅ この犬はしっぽが長いです。/ This dog has a long tail.
Using が properly ensures your sentence sounds natural and correct.
4. Essential Vocabulary for Describing People
Here are some useful words you can plug into the sentence pattern:
| Japanese | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 髪（かみ） | hair | 姉は髪が長いです。 |
| 目（め） | eyes | 妹は目が大きいです。 |
| 足（あし） | legs/feet | トムさんは足が長いです。 |
| 背（せ） | height/back | メアリーは背が高いです。 |
| 頭（あたま）がいい | smart | ジョンさんは頭がいいです。 |
| 速い（はやい） | fast | 姉は足が速いです。 |
5. Practice Time!
Try describing these people using the pattern:
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| My mother has short hair. | 母は髪が短いです。 |
| My dad has a big mouth. | 父は口が大きいです。 |
| My older sister is fast. | 姉は足が速いです。 |
| Tanaka is short. | 田中さんは背が低いです。 |
6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
- QCan I just say “N1 は Adj です” instead?
- A
Yes, but it has a different nuance.
- トムさんは大きいです。 → Tom is big (overall)
- トムさんは足が大きいです。 → Tom has big feet (specific)
Use “N1 は N2 が Adj です” to highlight a specific part or detail.
- QWhat’s the difference between は and が here?
- A
- は marks the topic of the sentence (overall context)
- が marks the subject being described (the detail)
- QIs this structure only for physical appearance?
- A
No! You can also describe character traits or features of objects.
Examples:- このケーキはチョコレートが美味しいです。
The chocolate part of this cake is delicious. - 東京は電車が便利です。
As for Tokyo, the trains are convenient.
- このケーキはチョコレートが美味しいです。
Conclusion
The sentence structure “N1 は N2 が Adj です” is a great tool to:
✅ Describe someone’s appearance or personality
✅ Talk about specific parts or features
✅ Make your Japanese more detailed and natural
🎯 Try this: Describe 3 people around you using this pattern!
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Our native Japanese instructors at gokigen japanese can help you perfect your pronunciation and learn real-life usage.
Whether you’re completely new to Japanese or looking to refine your skills, book a one-on-one session.
