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Grammar detail: には, では, とは

には, では, とは  emphasis
154 words
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Particles such as に, で and と can be combined with the topic marker は to add additional emphasis.
For example, consider the following two sentences:
としょかん
図書館
ほん
ある
There are books in the library.
としょかん
図書館
ほん
ある
As for the library, there are books in it.
The sentences are identical apart from the addition of the topic marker は after the に. The first sentence represents a simple statement of fact - the に acts as the location marker, and tells us there are books in that location (the library).
In the second sentence, the は marks the library as the topic, and by emphasizing the fact that the library is where the books are, it emphasizes the location of the books - there are books in the library. This introduces a subtle implied comparison, which could mean slightly different things depending on the context - the books are in the library as opposed to the books being elsewhere; or, there are books in the library but there are no books elsewhere.
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Kanji used in this grammar

ト   ズ   はか to map, plan   
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ショ   か to write   
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カン    building   やかた castle, mansion   
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ホン   book   もと origin   
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