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it is going to be the end of week 3 in learning japanese and i've noticed how sometimes in sentences the hiragana は can sound like "wa" as well, why is this so? And also when do i know when to say "wa" instead of "ha"?

from alexa the learner ^_^

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Alexa the learner
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2 Answers2

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One uses は and pronounces it as 'wa' when one brings up a new topic or in general when using it as a particle.

In other cases, e.g. when は is in a word, it is pronounced as 'ha'.

I hope I helped you :)

ayiram
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It's only pronounced as 'wa' when used as a particle. Such places include:

noun+は

のは

では

ではない

ではありません

other things + は + ない

Also, curiously, in こんにちは. Not sure whether it was originally a particle there or not.

My list is probably not exhaustive but hopefully you get the idea. I wouldn't worry about it too much. With a little time it will become obvious to you which pronunciation to use.

Please comment if you have additional uses which remain confusing.

user3856370
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  • thank you for answering my question! ありがとうございました! – Alexa the learner Oct 29 '20 at 13:59
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    Etymologically it was a particle in こんにちは and こんばんは, yes. Related: https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/71794/is-%E3%81%AF-a-particle-in-%E3%81%93%E3%82%93%E3%81%AB%E3%81%A1%E3%81%AF-and-%E3%81%93%E3%82%93%E3%81%B0%E3%82%93%E3%81%AF#comment119416_71795 –  Oct 30 '20 at 09:38