Question
Updated on
25 Nov 2018
- Italian
-
Japanese
-
English (US)
Question about Japanese
When do i use は (わ) and when do i use が?
When do i use は (わ) and when do i use が?
Answers
25 Nov 2018
Featured answer
- Japanese
●[は and が]
・https://youtu.be/FknmUij6ZIk
・https://www.thoughtco.com/japanese-particles-wa... (Explanation)
・http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/pa... (Explanation)
・http://www.guidetojapanese.org/blog/2005/02/05/... (Explanation)
・http://www.learn-japanese-adventure.com/japanes... (Explanation)
・http://kwhazit.ucoz.net/ranma/g_part.html#wa1 (Explanation)
・http://www.japanese-language.aiyori.org/article... (some examples)
・http://nihonshock.com/2010/02/particles-the-dif... (Our image/view)
・https://8020japanese.com/wa-vs-ga/ ("The true purpose of [は]")
日本語での説明↓
・https://www.alc.co.jp/jpn/article/faq/03/19.html
・http://learn-the-basics-of-japanese.blogspot.jp...
・http://learn-the-basics-of-japanese.blogspot.jp...
・http://learn-the-basics-of-japanese.blogspot.jp...
There are 主題(theme, topic) and 主語(subject).
1. John ate that apple.
↑ ↑
topic object
subject
1a. ジョンはあのリンゴを食べた。
↑ ↑
topic object
subject
Speaking about John, (he) ate that apple.
As for John, (he) ate that apple.
1b. ジョンがあのリンゴを食べた。
↑ ↑
subject object
Topic(/Theme) is not written here.
2. あのリンゴはジョンが食べた。
That apple, John ate (it).
↑ ↑
topic subject
object
Speaking about that apple, John ate (it).
As for that apple, John ate (it).
Q1: What did John do?
A1: ジョンはあのリンゴを食べた。
(Speaking about / As for) John, (he) ate that apple.
Q2: Who ate that apple?
A2: ジョンがあのリンゴを食べた。
John ate that apple. (/ John did.)
Q3: (I put my apple on this table. But, it is not there.) Where is that apple? (Do you know that?)
A3: あのリンゴはジョンが食べた。
(Speaking about / As for) that apple, John ate (it).
e.g. 1a
私はラーメン。
↓[without context]
I'm ramen. (strange sentence)
e.g. 1b
A: 俺は寿司を食べたい。あなたは?
I want to eat sushi. What about you? [context]
B: 私はラーメン。(natural sentence)
(Speaking about / As for) me, (what I want to eat is) ramen.
e.g. 2
こんにゃくは太らない。(natural sentence)
It doesn't mean "Konjak doesn't get fat."
[こんにゃく(Konjak) is a food which has very low calorie.]
↓ implying
こんにゃくは、いくら食べても太らない。
(Speaking about / As for) konjak, no matter how much (we) eat (it), (we) don't get fat.
Picture 「AはB。」

Highly-rated answerer
Read more comments
- Japanese
●[は and が]
・https://youtu.be/FknmUij6ZIk
・https://www.thoughtco.com/japanese-particles-wa... (Explanation)
・http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/pa... (Explanation)
・http://www.guidetojapanese.org/blog/2005/02/05/... (Explanation)
・http://www.learn-japanese-adventure.com/japanes... (Explanation)
・http://kwhazit.ucoz.net/ranma/g_part.html#wa1 (Explanation)
・http://www.japanese-language.aiyori.org/article... (some examples)
・http://nihonshock.com/2010/02/particles-the-dif... (Our image/view)
・https://8020japanese.com/wa-vs-ga/ ("The true purpose of [は]")
日本語での説明↓
・https://www.alc.co.jp/jpn/article/faq/03/19.html
・http://learn-the-basics-of-japanese.blogspot.jp...
・http://learn-the-basics-of-japanese.blogspot.jp...
・http://learn-the-basics-of-japanese.blogspot.jp...
There are 主題(theme, topic) and 主語(subject).
1. John ate that apple.
↑ ↑
topic object
subject
1a. ジョンはあのリンゴを食べた。
↑ ↑
topic object
subject
Speaking about John, (he) ate that apple.
As for John, (he) ate that apple.
1b. ジョンがあのリンゴを食べた。
↑ ↑
subject object
Topic(/Theme) is not written here.
2. あのリンゴはジョンが食べた。
That apple, John ate (it).
↑ ↑
topic subject
object
Speaking about that apple, John ate (it).
As for that apple, John ate (it).
Q1: What did John do?
A1: ジョンはあのリンゴを食べた。
(Speaking about / As for) John, (he) ate that apple.
Q2: Who ate that apple?
A2: ジョンがあのリンゴを食べた。
John ate that apple. (/ John did.)
Q3: (I put my apple on this table. But, it is not there.) Where is that apple? (Do you know that?)
A3: あのリンゴはジョンが食べた。
(Speaking about / As for) that apple, John ate (it).
e.g. 1a
私はラーメン。
↓[without context]
I'm ramen. (strange sentence)
e.g. 1b
A: 俺は寿司を食べたい。あなたは?
I want to eat sushi. What about you? [context]
B: 私はラーメン。(natural sentence)
(Speaking about / As for) me, (what I want to eat is) ramen.
e.g. 2
こんにゃくは太らない。(natural sentence)
It doesn't mean "Konjak doesn't get fat."
[こんにゃく(Konjak) is a food which has very low calorie.]
↓ implying
こんにゃくは、いくら食べても太らない。
(Speaking about / As for) konjak, no matter how much (we) eat (it), (we) don't get fat.
Picture 「AはB。」

Highly-rated answerer
- Italian

[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
Sign up
Related questions
-
When do I use -ないと and when do i use -なくちゃ?
answerI have to do my homework. 私は宿題をしないといけない 私は宿題をしなくちゃいけない Either one's OK.
-
When should I use が、で、を、は、に? I always get really confused! When should I use them?
answerI think using correct particles is one of the most difficult things for Japanese learners. You can refer to this website. https://nihongoich...
-
When should I use に and when で ?
answerに is direction markaer and で is event markaer.
-
When do i have to use では and には?
answerIf you use them to show a place, には is used if the predicate means existence. Otherwise では is used. They are used strictly and they aren't ex...
-
When do I use こと? when do I use の?
answerIf your question means the difference between こと and の that are used like relative pronouns, my answer is の is more casual than こと そうすることがよかっ...
-
When do you use に and when do you use へ?
answerIn general, に follows a destination or target, or where someone or something is. へ expresses a direction of an action. 🙂
-
when do you use は (as in 私 は) when do you use it and why?
answerは is a Topic marker used when it is necessary to clarify what is being talked about. The main effect is to draw attention to the words pointe...
Recommended Questions
- 満員電車(まんいんでんしゃ)の中(なか)で僕(ぼく)はうっかり女性(じょせい)の足(あし)を踏(ふ)んでしまった。 急(きゅう)に雨(あめ)が降(ふ)り出(だ)した 日本(にほん)の...
- Hello! The phrase "The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" What is the appropriate response to say back...
- 「はたと」を使った短文を教えてください。
- エロ漫画と同人誌の違いはなんですか
- 仕事中、居眠りばかりしている場合、 部長:「早く帰れ!睡眠を十分取って行きなさい。」 自然でしょうか
Topic Questions
- how to understand the phrase "trick photography" in sentence: "the magic made possible by trick p...
- Could you check and correct my English writing? I have two things what I want to do after going ...
- Which way is the more natural? Or how would a native speaker say this? I somehow had that feelin...
- Yesterday, there was record-heavy snow in my area, the northern part of Japan. It had continued ...
- Are these sentences natural? If not, tell me how to say. I had have bad lifestyle habits for las...
Newest Questions
- Can I use the word "subsidy" about money that a company gives to their employees? For example, "a...
- which one is natural? Did he ask you to marry him? Did he propose marriage to you?
- does this sound natural? i would appreciate it if you could correct it for me. This streetcar ...
- what is the opposite word for LIMITATION?
- Which is correct? at the airport vs in the airport
Previous question/ Next question