Wa vs Ga

Home > Preview

The flashcards below were created by user Anonymous on FreezingBlue Flashcards.

Wa description

Topic marker

Comes after the topic

The topic is something both the speaker and listener know
Wa examples
- Toni-san wa pan o tabemasu
- Mr. Tony east bread.
- Watashi wa gakusei desu
- I am a student
Ga description
Subject marker

Comes when something new is introduced

Used in the question of who or what
- The object of the sentence is usually marked by the particle "o," but some verbs and adjectives (expressing like/dislike (kirai), want(koshii), potential, necessity, fear, need(hitsuyo), be located, exist(aru) etc.) take "ga" instead of "o."
- EX:
- Kuruma ga hoshii desu.
- I want a car.
Used to indicate subject in a subordinate clause
Ga examples
- Who or what:
- Dare ga kimasu ka?
- Who is coming?
- Emphasise the subject:
- Taro ga gakkou ni ikimashita.
- Taro is the one who went to school
- Kare ga Osaka ni ikimashita.
- He (is the one who) went to Osaka.
- Used in Subordinate clauses
- Okyaku-sama ga sugu kimasu node, okasan wa totemo isogashii desu.
- Since guests are coming soon, Mother is very busy.
- Exception words
- Watakushi wa chokoreto ga suki desu.
- I like chocolate.