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All About the Japanese Particles Wa and Ga
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by Namiko Abe
Updated January 30, 2019
Particles are probably one of the most difficult and confusing aspects of Japanese
sentences. Among particles, the question I am often asked is about the use of "wa （は）"
and "ga （が）." They seem to make many people confused, but don't be intimidated by
them! Let's have a look at the functions of these particles.
Topic Marker and Subject Marker Ad
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Roughly speaking, "wa" is aEnjoy
topic marker, and "ga" is a subject marker.
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The topic is often the same as the subject, but not necessary. The topic can be anything
that a speaker wants to talk about (It can be an object, location or any other grammatical
element). In this sense, it is similar to the English expressions, "As for ~" or "Speaking of
~."
Watashi wa gakusei desu. I am a student.
私は学⽣です。 (As for me, I am a student.)
Nihongo wa omoshiroi desu. Japanese is interesting.
⽇本語は⾯⽩いです。 (Speaking of Japanese,
it is interesting.)
Basic Differences Between Ga and Wa
"Wa" is used to mark something that has already been introduced into the conversation,
or is familiar with both a speaker and a listener. (proper nouns, genetic names etc.) "Ga"
is used when a situation or happening is just noticed or newly introduced. See the
following example.
Mukashi mukashi, ojii-san ga sunde Once upon a time, there lived an old man.
imashita. Ojii-san wa totemo shinsetsu He was very kind.
deshita.
昔々、おじいさんが住んでいました。
おじいさんはとても親切でした。
In the first sentence, "ojii-san" is introduced for the first time. It is the subject, not the
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topic. The second sentence
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describes about "ojii-san" that is previously mentioned. "Ojii-
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APR with "wa" instead of "ga."
Wa as Contrast
Beside being a topic marker, "wa" is used to show contrast or to emphasize the subject.
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Biiru wa nomimasu ga, I drink beer,
wain wa nomimasen. but I don't drink wine.
ビールは飲みますが、
ワインは飲みません。
The thing being contrasted may or may not stated, but with this usage, the contrast is
implied.
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AnoOurhon wa yomimasen deshita. I didn't read that book
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あの本は読みませんでした。 (though I read this one).
Particles such as "ni（に）," "de（で）," "kara（から）" and "made（まで）" can be
combined with "wa" (double particles) to show contrast.
Osaka ni wa ikimashita ga, I went to Osaka,
Kyoto ni wa ikimasen deshita. but I didn't go to Kyoto.
⼤阪には⾏きましたが、
京都には⾏きませんでした。
Koko de wa tabako o Please don't smoke here
suwanaide kudasai. (but you may smoke there).
ここではタバコを
吸わないでください。
Whether "wa" indicates a topic or a contrast, it depends on the context or the intonation.
Ga With Question Words
When a question word such as "who" and "what" is the subject of a sentence, it is always
followed by "ga," never by "wa." To answer the question, it also has to be followed by
"ga."
Dare ga kimasu ka. Who is coming?
誰が来ますか。
Yoko ga kimasu. Yoko is coming.
陽⼦が来ます。
Ga as Emphasis
"Ga" is used for emphasis, to distinguish a person or thing from all others. If a topic is
marked with "wa," the comment is the most important part of the sentence. On the other
hand, if a subject is marked with "ga," the subject is the most important part of the
sentence.
In English, these differences are sometimes expressed in tone of voice. Compare these
sentences.
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Taro wa gakkou ni ikimashita. from
Taro went to school.
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太郎は学校に⾏きました。
Taro ga gakkou ni ikimashita. Taro is the one
太郎が学校に⾏きました。 who went to school.
Ga in a Special Circumstance
The object of the sentence is usually marked by the particle "o," but some verbs and
adjectives (expressing like/dislike, desire, potential, necessity, fear, envy etc.) take "ga"
instead of "o."
Kuruma ga hoshii desu. I want a car.
⾞が欲しいです。
Nihongo ga wakarimasu. I understand Japanese.
⽇本語が分かります。
Ga in Subordinate Clauses
The subject of a subordinate clause normally takes "ga" to show that the subjects of the
subordinate and main clauses are different.
Watashi wa Mika ga kekkon shita koto I didn't know that
o shiranakatta. Mika got married.
私は美⾹が結婚した
ことを知らなかった。
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wa ga
は が
* Topic marker * Subject marker
* Contrast * With question words
* Emphasize
* Instead of "o"
* In subordinate clauses
Where Do I Begin?
Mid adult daughter and senior mother Using "kara"
talking while having coffee
Article Article
Using the Japanese Particles Wa and Frequently Asked Questions in
Ga Correctly Introductory Japanese
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