わ (wa)

Meaning & usage

The particle わ adds a soft, feminine emphasis to a statement, showing mild assertion or feeling rather than a strong claim. It follows plain verbs and i-adjectives as in 行くわ or いいわ, and follows だ after nouns and na-adjectives as in だわ, often expanded to わよ to inform and わね to seek agreement. It is casual feminine speech in standard Japanese, and attaching it to ます or です as in ますわ or ですわ sounds like an elegant ojou-sama or theatrical style, not neutral polite speech.

Example sentences 6

1. そのシャツの色いろ、いいわね。

   I like the color of your shirt.

2. このコートにするわ。

   I'll take this coat.

3. ほら、あなたの乗る電車が来たわ。

   Look, here comes your train.

4. 「母さんどこにいるの？」「台所にいるわよ」

   "Where's mom?" "She's in the kitchen."

5. 目、開けていいわよ。

   You can open your eyes.

6. みんなが見てるわよ。

   Everybody is watching you.