Particles are small words placed after a noun to show its role in the sentence. Among them, は and が trip up almost every beginner, because English does not make the distinction.
は: introducing the topic
As a particle, は is pronounced “wa”. It sets the scene: “as for…”. The important information comes after it. In 私は学生です (watashi wa gakusei desu), the topic is “me” and the information is “student”.
は (wa)
私は学生です。
今日は暑いですね。
東京は大きい町です。
が (ga)
誰が来ましたか。
猫が好きです。
雨が降っています。
が: pointing to the exact subject
が puts the spotlight on the word before it. It is used when that word is the new information, for example in an answer: 誰が来ましたか (who came?). Answer: 田中さんが来ました (it was Mr Tanaka who came).
When が is required
Some verbs and adjectives almost always take が for the thing you like, can do, or that exists.
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 猫が好きです | neko ga suki desu | I like cats |
| 日本語が分かります | nihongo ga wakarimasu | I understand Japanese |
| 時間があります | jikan ga arimasu | I have time |
| 弟がいます | otōto ga imasu | I have a younger brother |
| 何が欲しいですか | nani ga hoshii desu ka | What would you like? |
は for contrast
は also marks contrast: 肉は食べますが、魚は食べません (meat, I eat; fish, I don’t). Here は can even replace を.
Teacher’s tip
After a question word (誰, 何, どこ…), always use が, never は. And keep が in the answer: it carries the new information.
Practising out loud
These rules become natural through speaking. In class, your teacher asks questions that force you to choose, then corrects you right when you hesitate.
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