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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜が

    〜が

    〜が

    This word shows who or what is doing the action. It points out new or important information.

    N5KMT1NeutralStandardParticleMixedTopic And Subject MarkingGrammar

    Noun + がPrimary

    This word shows who or what is doing the action. It points out new or important information.

    空そらが青あおいですね。

    The sky is blue, isn't it?

    NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeNature & EnvironmentWeather & Geography
    昨きの日う、山やま田ださんが来きましたよ。

    Mr. Yamada came yesterday, you know.

    PolitePastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeDaily Life
    この問もん題だいは、私わたしには難むずかしすぎて理り解かいができません。

    This problem is too difficult for me; I can't understand it.

    FormalNon PastNegativeSentence EndingAbilityEducationScience & Math
    彼かれが書かいた本ほんはベストセラーになった。

    The book he wrote became a bestseller.

    NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeLiterature
    誰だれが責せき任にん者しゃか、はっきりさせてください。

    Please make it clear who the person in charge is.

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceRequestWork & CareerBusiness & Finance

    The particle が is different from は. は tells you the main topic. This is often something you already know. が points out the subject of the sentence. This is often new information. It can also show something specific. For example, 'I like cats' uses が for 'cats'. This shows what you specifically like. 'Cats are cute' uses は for 'cats'. This is a general idea about cats.

    Watch out: When you ask "who," "what," or "where," you must use "ga." For example, say "Who is coming?" Do not use "wa" with these words. "Ga" shows you are asking for new information.

    Don't use this when you want to say "I understand Japanese." You should say "日本語がわかります" not "日本語をわかります." Some words need が. These are words about what you can do. Like 'can do' or 'understand'. They are also words about what you like or dislike. Like 'like' or 'good at'. Words about if something exists also use が. Like 'there is'. Words about what you want use が too. Like 'want something'.

    Use this when you want to connect two sentences. It means 'but' or 'and'. It shows a contrast or adds more information. You will see it between two full ideas.

    Often confused with(1)

    〜は (topic)

    は (wa) tells you what the sentence is about. It points to the main subject or idea.

    Contrasts with(2)

    〜は (topic)

    は (wa) tells you what the sentence is about. It points to the main subject or idea.

    〜は (contrastive)

    Marks an item for contrast, implying that the statement is true for the marked item but may not be for others, which can be stated or unstated. It is often used to soften a negative statement or to express partial agreement.

    Dialect / slang variants(1)

    〜も

    This word means 'also' or 'too'. It shows that something is an extra part of a group.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    often_confused_with

    • 〜は (topic)

    contrasts_with

    • 〜は (contrastive)

    replaces

    • 〜も

    prerequisite

    • せっかくですが
    • 〜て仕方(しかた)がない
    • 〜てしょうがない
    • 〜ようがない
    • 〜(よ)うが / 〜(よ)うと
    • 〜ばってんが
    • 〜(ら)れる (direct passive)
    • 〜がために
    • 〜が + 自動詞
    • 〜甲斐がある / 〜かいがある
    • 〜きらいがある
    • 〜こそ
    • 〜ことが多い
    • 俺
    • 〜おそれがある
    • 恐れ入りますが

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