12. Particle が (ga) – Subject Emphasis
Japanese Particle が (ga)
Master the Subject Marker with Subject Emphasis
Table of Contents
1. Basic Concept of が (ga)
が (ga) is a Japanese particle that marks the subject of a sentence and provides emphasis on who or what is performing the action.
Think of が as spotlight that shines on the specific person, thing, or entity that is the focus of the sentence. It’s used when you want to identify or emphasize the subject.
2. Pronunciation & Writing
| Written Form | Pronunciation | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| が | ga | Always pronounced as “ga” | わたし が (watashi ga) I (emphasis) |
| が | ga | Particle marker | だれ が (dare ga) Who (subject) |
3. Basic Usage Patterns
Pattern 1: [Subject] が [Verb/Action]
わたし が やります。
Watashi ga yarimasu.
I will do it. (Emphasis: I, specifically)
Pattern 2: [Subject] が [Adjective/State]
あの ひと が きれい です。
Ano hito ga kirei desu.
That person is beautiful. (Emphasis: that specific person)
Pattern 3: Question Words + が
だれ が きました か。
Dare ga kimashita ka.
Who came? (Asking for specific subject identification)
4. Comprehensive Example Sentences
| Japanese (Hiragana) | Romaji | English Translation | Subject Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| わたし が がくせい です。 | Watashi ga gakusei desu. | I am a student. (I am the one who is a student) | わたし (I – specifically me) |
| あめ が ふって います。 | Ame ga futte imasu. | Rain is falling. (Rain is what’s falling) | あめ (rain – not snow, etc.) |
| ねこ が います。 | Neko ga imasu. | There is a cat. (A cat exists/is present) | ねこ (cat – specific animal) |
| でんわ が なって います。 | Denwa ga natte imasu. | The phone is ringing. (Phone is what’s ringing) | でんわ (phone – source of sound) |
| かのじょ が うたいます。 | Kanojo ga utaimasu. | She sings. (She is the one who sings) | かのじょ (she – not others) |
| ほん が おちました。 | Hon ga ochimashita. | The book fell. (Book is what fell) | ほん (book – what fell) |
| だれ が つくりました か。 | Dare ga tsukurimashita ka. | Who made it? (Which person made it?) | だれ (who – seeking subject) |
| いぬ が ほえて います。 | Inu ga hoete imasu. | The dog is barking. (Dog is what’s barking) | いぬ (dog – source of barking) |
| かぜ が つよい です。 | Kaze ga tsuyoi desu. | The wind is strong. (Wind is what’s strong) | かぜ (wind – what has strength) |
| せんせい が きました。 | Sensei ga kimashita. | The teacher came. (Teacher is who came) | せんせい (teacher – who arrived) |
5. が (ga) vs は (wa) – Detailed Comparison
が (ga) = Subject marker with EMPHASIS/IDENTIFICATION
は (wa) = Topic marker for GENERAL STATEMENTS
| Particle | Function | Example | Translation | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| が | Subject emphasis | だれ が がくせい です か。 Dare ga gakusei desu ka. | Who is a student? | Identifying specific person |
| は | Topic marker | わたし は がくせい です。 Watashi wa gakusei desu. | I am a student. | General self-introduction |
| が | Subject emphasis | ねこ が います。 Neko ga imasu. | There is a cat. | Announcing existence/presence |
| は | Topic marker | ねこ は かわいい です。 Neko wa kawaii desu. | Cats are cute. | General statement about cats |
| が | Subject emphasis | たなか さん が きました。 Tanaka-san ga kimashita. | Mr. Tanaka came. | Reporting who specifically came |
| は | Topic marker | たなか さん は きました。 Tanaka-san wa kimashita. | Mr. Tanaka came. | Talking about Mr. Tanaka’s actions |
6. Subject Emphasis Patterns
New Information Introduction
あたらしい せんせい が きました。
Atarashii sensei ga kimashita.
A new teacher came. (Introducing new person)
Existence and Presence
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Emphasis Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| つくえ の うえ に ほん が あります。 | Tsukue no ue ni hon ga arimasu. | There is a book on the desk. | What exists (book) |
| こうえん に こども が います。 | Kouen ni kodomo ga imasu. | There are children in the park. | Who is present (children) |
| そら に ひこうき が とんで います。 | Sora ni hikouki ga tonde imasu. | An airplane is flying in the sky. | What is moving (airplane) |
Contrastive Emphasis
わたし が つくりました。あなた じゃ ありません。
Watashi ga tsukurimashita. Anata ja arimasen.
I made it. Not you. (Strong emphasis on “I”)
7. Advanced Usage Patterns
が with Potential Form
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Grammar Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| にほんご が はなせます。 | Nihongo ga hanasemasu. | I can speak Japanese. | Language ability |
| ピアノ が ひけます。 | Piano ga hikemasu. | I can play piano. | Skill ability |
| うみ が みえます。 | Umi ga miemasu. | I can see the ocean. | Natural ability/state |
が with Desire/Preference
あたらしい くるま が ほしい です。
Atarashii kuruma ga hoshii desu.
I want a new car. (Car is what I want)
が with Emotions/Sensations
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Emotion Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| あたま が いたい です。 | Atama ga itai desu. | My head hurts. | Physical sensation |
| えいが が すき です。 | Eiga ga suki desu. | I like movies. | Preference |
| しけん が しんぱい です。 | Shiken ga shinpai desu. | I’m worried about the exam. | Anxiety |
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| きょう が あつい です。 | きょう は あつい です。 | Use は for general weather statements | Daily weather description |
| わたし は がくせい です。 (in response to “Who is a student?”) | わたし が がくせい です。 | Use が when identifying yourself as the subject | Answering identification questions |
| ねこ は います。 (announcing presence) | ねこ が います。 | Use が for existence/presence announcements | Reporting what exists |
| なに は おちました か。 | なに が おちました か。 | Question words typically take が | Asking what happened |
| わたし は にほんご は はなせます。 | わたし は にほんご が はなせます。 | Object of potential verbs takes が | Expressing abilities |
• Use が when introducing NEW information
• Use が when answering WHO/WHAT questions
• Use が when reporting events or existence
• Use が with potential forms, preferences, and sensations
Congratulations!
You’ve completed the comprehensive guide to the Japanese particle が (ga). Remember: が emphasizes the subject and answers “WHO?” or “WHAT?” – practice identifying when you need this emphasis!
が (ga) Particle Quiz
Test Your Knowledge of the Japanese Subject Marker
Exercise 1: Subject Identification
How do you ask “Who is a student?”
Explanation: が (ga) is used with question words to identify the specific subject. This emphasizes WHO is the student.
Exercise 2: Existence Announcement
How do you say “There is a cat” (announcing its presence)?
Explanation: が is used when announcing the existence or presence of something new. It emphasizes WHAT exists.
Exercise 3: が vs は Context
Someone asks “Who came?” Your answer should be:
Explanation: が is used when identifying WHO specifically performed the action. It answers the “who” question with emphasis.
Exercise 4: Potential Form
Complete: “I can speak Japanese.” にほんご ___ はなせます。
Explanation: With potential forms (can do), the object takes が particle. Japanese が はなせます = “Japanese is speakable (by me)”.
Exercise 5: Emotions and Sensations
Complete: “My head hurts.” あたま ___ いたい です。
Explanation: Body parts and physical sensations use が. It emphasizes WHAT part of the body has the sensation.
Exercise 6: New Information
Which sentence introduces NEW information correctly?
Explanation: が is preferred when introducing new people or information for the first time. It emphasizes WHO came.
Exercise 7: Desire and Preference
Complete: “I want a new car.” あたらしい くるま ___ ほしい です。
Explanation: Objects of desire (ほしい) and preference (すき) take が particle. It emphasizes WHAT you want.
Exercise 8: Understanding the Difference
When do you use が instead of は?
Explanation: が emphasizes the subject and answers “who/what” questions, while は introduces topics for general discussion.
Exercise 9: Event Reporting
Complete: “The phone is ringing.” でんわ ___ なって います。
Explanation: When reporting events or actions happening right now, が emphasizes WHAT is performing the action.
Exercise 10: Advanced Context
Which is the most natural response to “What fell?”
Explanation: が directly answers “what” questions, identifying the specific subject that performed the action.
How did you do?
Check your answers by selecting options above. Each correct answer will show in red emphasis!
Remember: が emphasizes the subject and answers WHO/WHAT questions!
