Japanese

Particle

とは ‎(romaji to wa)

1. indicates that a word or a phrase is to be defined

   素数 (そすう)とは何 (なに)かを学 (まな)んだ。

   Sosū to wa nani ka o mananda.

   I learnt what a prime number was.

   Ｕｂｕｎｔｕとは？

   Ubuntu to wa ?

   What is Ubuntu?

Usage notes

• This particle is e.g. often used in encyclopedias to define entries.
• When used alone with a word it denotes the meaning of "this word is defined as?" and may be translated as "about" or "What is".

See also

• 就 (つ)いて ‎(tsuite): regarding, concerning