What is the difference between は (particle) and が (particle) ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.

Japanese

わたしはすずきです
= I am Suzuki ( whom you have most likely never heard of )

わたしがすずきです
= I am Suzuki ( whom you have been looking for )

Highly-rated answerer

DrT

Japanese

This question is very difficult for general Japanese because we do not follow/obey/think about the rule in use of these particles.
There is the rule in use of these particles, but the rule is ingrained in Japanese, so Japanese can not explain the rule.
I think Japanese language teacher can explain. And there are many academic papers/articles on this matter.
I also hope someone on this site tell you about the rule.

Highly-rated answerer

Lllorieee

English (US)

@DrT Well, thank you anyway for explaining what you could. I now see why it can be confusing.

mmm21002

Japanese

Almost the same.
They have a slight nuance difference.

AはBです (A am/is/are)B. (usually)
AがBです (A am/is/are)B.(People other than A are not B.)

Ex)
A:あなたは佐藤ですか？(Are you Sato?)
B:いいえ、かれが佐藤です。(No, I'm not. He is Sato.)

DrT

Japanese

I make one situation to use two particles, for example.

I and you were talking about the third man whose name is "Yamada-san". At that time there was not Yamada-san around us.
After a few minutes, a man came up to us. He was Yamada-san.

In this case, I say "彼が山田さんです。（kare ga Yamada-san desu.）[He is Yamada-san]" But I do not say "彼は山田さんです。(・・・wa・・・ka?). Using "は" in this situation, many Japanese feel awkwardness.

But, in this case, you can ask me "彼が山田さんですか？" (・・・ga・・・ka?)[Is he Yamada-san?] and "彼は山田さんですか？" But the latter is also makes us feel a little awkwardness.

After a few minutes, a lady came up to us. She is Suzuki-san. We did not talk about Suzuki-san and you do not know of Suzuki-san.
In this case, I say "彼女は鈴木さんです。(kanojo wa Suzuki-san desu)[She is Suzuki-san]". I do not use "が".

We use ”が” and "は" separately in the situation/condition, which is: I know or not, you know or not, there are other object or not and so on.

Sorry for my poor English. I hope my poor English does not make you more confused.

Highly-rated answerer

ryouru

Japanese

You will find many explanations, they are all correct. It means there are many usages for wa and ga. So, you find answers you should not think that they are the only rules.

Lllorieee

25 Dec 2017

English (US)

@DrT After researching, I do understand how prior knowledge or mention of a person can change whether you use either particles. I guess what you said does clear up some situations, but I’m sure I’ll learn the proper way of using them by talking to and observing fluent japanese speakers. Thank you!

Lllorieee

25 Dec 2017

English (US)

@ryouru Okay, I guess it’s something that is ingrained into Japanese language and speaking. Thank you for your advice!