が

が
particle
subject marker
1. subject marker
Marks the grammatical subject of a sentence—who or what performs the action or is being described. Unlike は, が typically introduces new information or emphasizes the identity of the subject.
雨(あめ)が降(ふ)っている。
It's raining.
誰(だれ)が来(き)ましたか。
Who came?
私(わたし)が行(い)きます。
I'll go. (I'm the one who'll go.)
Emphasizes 'I' as the one
あ、電話(でんわ)が鳴(な)っている。誰(だれ)からだろう。
Oh, the phone is ringing. I wonder who it's from.
何(なに)が一番(いちばん)大切(たいせつ)か考(かんが)えてみてください。答(こた)えは人(ひと)によって違(ちが)います。
Please think about what is most important. The answer differs from person to person.
2. object marker (with certain predicates)
With certain verbs and adjectives expressing ability, desire, or emotion (できる, 分(わ)かる, 好(す)き, 欲(ほ)しい, etc.), が marks what would be the object in English. 日本語(にほんご)が分(わ)かる (I understand Japanese), 猫(ねこ)が好(す)き (I like cats).
水(みず)が欲(ほ)しい。
I want water.
日本語(にほんご)が分(わ)かる。
I understand Japanese.
私(わたし)は猫(ねこ)が好(す)きです。
I like cats.
彼(かれ)は料理(りょうり)が上手(じょうず)で、何(なん)でも作(つく)れる。
He is good at cooking and can make anything.
私(わたし)は犬(いぬ)が怖(こわ)いので、近(ちか)くに来(こ)ないでほしいと思(おも)っている。
I'm afraid of dogs, so I don't want them to come near me.
3. but, although (conjunction)
Connects two clauses with a contrastive or concessive meaning. Similar to 'but' or 'although' in English.
高(たか)いですが、買(か)います。
It's expensive, but I'll buy it.
すみませんが、道(みち)を教(おし)えてください。
Excuse me, but could you tell me the way?
行(い)きたいですが、時間(じかん)がありません。
I want to go, but I don't have time.
難(むずか)しいですが、やってみます。
It's difficult, but I'll try.
彼(かれ)の説明(せつめい)は詳(くわ)しかったですが、私(わたし)にはまだ難(むずか)しくてよく分(わ)かりませんでした。
His explanation was detailed, but it was still too difficult for me and I didn't understand it well.

The は vs. が distinction is notoriously difficult for learners. Key differences: (1) が introduces new information, は marks known/topical information; (2) が is used in subordinate clauses; (3) が is used after question words (誰(だれ)が, 何(なに)が); (4) certain predicates require が for their 'object' (好(す)き, 分(わ)かる, できる, 欲(ほ)しい, etc.).

Related Words

Contrast: は (topic marker)
basic
Added 2026.1.5 19:56 · Revised 2026.2.2 21:09
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