Wa vs Ga

Topic marker

Comes after the topic

The topic is something both the speaker and listener know

• Toni-san wa pan o tabemasu
• Mr. Tony east bread.

• Watashi wa gakusei desu
• I am a student

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

• 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.