Breakdown of watasi ha mise de zassi wo sagasimasu.
はha
topic particle
私watasi
I
をwo
direct object particle
でde
location particle
雑誌zassi
magazine
店mise
store
探すsagasu
to look for
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Questions & Answers about watasi ha mise de zassi wo sagasimasu.
Why is は used after 私 instead of が?
は is the topic marker, showing that 私 (“I”) is what we’re talking about. が is the subject marker and often introduces new or important information. In this sentence, you’re simply stating what “I” do, so は marks “I” as the topic rather than emphasizing “I” as the subject.
What does the particle で in 店で mean?
で indicates the location where an action takes place. Here, 店で means “at the store.” It tells you where you are searching for the magazines.
Why is を used after 雑誌?
を marks the direct object of the verb. In 雑誌を探します, magazines (雑誌) are what you are searching for, so you attach を to indicate that direct relationship.
What is 探します, and why is it in this form?
探します is the polite present/future form (–ます form) of the verb 探す, which means “to search for” or “to look for.” The –ます form makes the sentence polite.
Could I change the word order to 雑誌を店で探します? Would it still be correct?
Yes. Japanese typically follows Subject–Object–Verb order, but modifiers like location (店で) and object (雑誌を) can swap places without changing the meaning:
• 私 は 店 で 雑誌 を 探します。
• 私 は 雑誌 を 店 で 探します。
• 雑誌 を 店 で 私 は 探します。
All are grammatically correct, though the first is the most natural.
What’s the difference between the kanji 探す and 捜す? Which should I use?
Both verbs read さがす, but:
- 探す (探します) means “to search for” in a general sense (e.g. ideas, objects).
- 捜す (捜します) often means “to look for” something lost or missing (e.g. a person, a lost item).
In everyday speech, people frequently use 探す, so 雑誌を探します is perfectly natural.
Why isn’t it お店で instead of 店で?
お店 includes the honorific prefix お, which adds politeness or respect. You can say お店で if you want to sound more polite or formal, especially when talking about someone else’s shop. However, dropping the お is also common and perfectly acceptable in neutral contexts.
How would I say “I’m looking for a magazine” to emphasize that I’m in the middle of searching right now?
You can use the progressive form 探しています.
• 私は店で雑誌を探しています。
This emphasizes that the action is ongoing: “I am currently looking for a magazine at the store.”