Introductions

The particle は (read "wa") marks the topic of the sentence: what we are talking about. です works like the verb "to be" and always comes last. It is the polite way of stating something about the topic.

じゃありません is the polite negative of です: "is not / am not". In formal or written contexts ではありません is used instead, with the same meaning.

To ask a question you just add the particle か at the end of the sentence; the word order does not change and Japanese uses no question mark. The intonation rises at the end. You answer with はい (yes) or いいえ (no).

The particle も replaces は when what is said about the new topic is the same as what was said about the previous one: it means "also, too".

The particle の joins two nouns: the first one narrows down or classifies the second. Here it shows the organisation someone belongs to.

さん is added to other people's surname or name to show respect; it works for men and women alike. It is never used with your own name. With small children ちゃん is used, and くん with young boys.