Japanese · 9 November 2026 · Topic vs. Subject (は vs が)
これが本です
kore ga hon desuRōmaji
This is the book (I was talking about).
expression
Employs が to give focal exclusion to 'kore', signaling that *this specific item* is the definitive book in question. It is used when identifying a sought-after item or answering 'Which one is the book?'
In a sentence
お待たせしました！探していた例の絶版本、これが本です。
omatase shimashita! sagashite ita rei no zeppanhon, kore ga hon desu.
Sorry to keep you waiting! This is the rare out-of-print book you were looking for.