The Difference Between は and が in Japanese

One of the biggest challenges for Japanese learners is understanding the difference between は (wa) and が (ga). Both are particles that mark subjects in a sentence, but they serve different purposes. If you’ve ever struggled with when to use は or が, this post will break it down for you in a simple and practical way.


は (wa) – The Topic Marker

The particle is used to introduce a topic in a sentence. It sets the stage for what you are going to talk about. The focus is not on the subject itself, but on what you want to say about it.

Key Features of は:

✅ Emphasizes what comes after it (the comment or information about the topic).
✅ Used when the subject is already known or has been mentioned before.
✅ Often used for general statements, comparisons, or contrasting information.

Example Sentences:

📌 わたし学生がくせいです。
(Watashi wa gakusee desu.)
“I am a student.” (The topic is “me,” and we’re giving information about it.)

📌 日本にほんなつあついです。
(Nihon no natsu wa atsui desu.)
“Japan’s summer is hot.” (We’re talking about Japanese summers in general.)

📌 いぬきだけど、ねこきじゃない。
(Inu wa suki dakedo, neko wa suki janai.)
“I like dogs, but I don’t like cats.” (Here, は is used to contrast two topics.)


が (ga) – The Subject Marker

The particle highlights the subject of a sentence. It is often used when introducing something new, emphasizing the subject, or in specific grammatical structures.

Key Features of が:

✅ Emphasizes who or what is performing an action.
✅ Used when introducing new information.
✅ Often found in sentences expressing existence, abilities, or preferences.

Example Sentences:

📌 あたらしい先生せんせいました。
(Atarashii sensee ga kimashita.)
“A new teacher has arrived.” (The focus is on the fact that a new teacher arrived.)

📌 だれきますか?
(Dare ga ikimasu ka?)
“Who is going?” (Asking who specifically is performing the action.)

📌 このみせ一番美味いちばんおいしいです。
(Kono mise ga ichiban oishii desu.)
“This restaurant is the most delicious.” (The emphasis is on this particular restaurant.)

When Both Can Be Used but Change the Meaning

There are cases where both and can be used, but the nuance changes.

📌 わたし日本語にほんごはなせます。
(Watashi wa nihongo ga hanasemasu.)
“I can speak Japanese.” (Topic: me, and what I can do is speak Japanese.)

📌 日本語にほんごはなせます。
(Nihongo wa hanasemasu.)
“As for Japanese, I can speak it.” (Implies that you can speak Japanese, but maybe not other languages.)

Quick Cheat Sheet

ParticlePurposeCommon Usage
Topic markerGeneral statements, contrasts, known information
Subject markerEmphasis, new information, questions, abilities


Final Thoughts

The difference between は and が can feel tricky at first, but the more you see them in real sentences, the more natural their usage will become. Try paying attention to them when reading or listening to Japanese, and practice using them in different situations.

Did this explanation help? Let me know if you have any questions! 😊

If you want to learn Japanese, improve your skills, or connect with native speakers and other learners, we can help. We offer one-on-one lessons, a supportive community, and on demand courses.

Website: nihongonana.com
Email: support@nihongonana.com

✅Book 1-on-1 lessons: https://nihongonana.com/lessons/
✅Join our Speaking Club: https://nihongonana.com/community/
✅Join our Course Waitlist: https://nihongonana.com/courses/

Leave Comment

🌟Now Only!! Free Trial lesson🌟