The use of particles in Japanese language is often considered as confusing aspect of learning. One of the most confusing particles are probably “ga(が)” and “wa(は)” particles.  They are a bit confusing, but let me show you the differences in basic sentences below. Once you get the basics done, it will be easier for you to identify which one to use in a particular sentence. Read on~!

There are three major sentences in Japanese. Most sentences are categorized based on the fact that if it has predicate noun, predicate adjectives, or predicate verb.

For example:

Predicate Noun:

Sumisu san wa shacho desu. (スミスさん　は　社長　です。　スミスさん　は　しゃちょう　です。) – Mr. Smith is a president.

Predicate Adjective:

Sumisu san wa yasashii. (スミスさん　は　優しい　です。　スミスさん　は　やさしい　です。) – Mr. Smith is kind.

Predicate Verb:

Sumisu san ga ima kimashita. (スミスさん　が　今　来ました。　スミスさん　が　いま　きました。)-Mr. Smith just got here.

 

As you notice in the above examples, “wa(は)” is used in the sentences with predicate noun and predicate adjectives. On the other hand, “ga(が)” is used in a sentence with predicate verb.  This is the basic rule in terms of differentiating between the two particles.

Let me show you more examples:

Kare wa seito desu. 彼　は　生徒　です。（かれ　は、　せいと　です。）-He is a student.

Kono ame wa nigai desu. (この飴　は　にがい　です。この　あめ は　にがい　です。) – This candy is bitter.

Watashi wa neko yori inu no hou ga suki desu. (私は、猫より　犬の方　が　好きです。わたしは、ねこより　いぬのほう　が　すきです。) – I like dogs better than cats.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, the above is the basic rule of using these particles; however, there are some exceptions as explained below. Let’s see if you switch between ga and wa particles.  Following sentences are the same exact sentences that use “Mr. Smith” as a subject; however, each of them now means completely different.

Predicate Noun:

Sumisu san ga shacho desu. (スミスさん　が　社長　です。　スミスさん　が　しゃちょう　です。) – Mr. Smith is the president.

Predicate Adjective:

Sumisu san  ga yasashii. (スミスさん　が　優しい　です。　スミスさん　が　やさしい　です。) – Mr. Smith is the one who is kind.

Predicate Verb:

Sumisu san wa ima kimashita. (スミスさん　は　今　来ました。　スミスさん　は　いま　きました。)-Mr. Smith just got here.

If you notice how I translated each one of them above, you will get an idea. The first two sentences indicate the meaning where Mr.Smith is the one, one particular individual whom the sentence is referring to. The last sentence still means the same in English as, “Mr. Smith just got here.” However, when you change the particle from “ga” to “wa” in Japanese, it indicates that Mr. Smith just got here, but nobody else has gotten here yet. 

So, the use of “ga” and “wa” particles all depend on the meaning of its sentence.

To summarize:

1) Within sentences that has predicate noun and predicate adjective, the basic rule is to use “wa(は)” particle. For sentence with predicate verb, the basic rule is to use “ga(が)”.

2) When “ga(が)” particle is used in a sentences with predicate noun and adjective, the sentence will indicate that the subject is being focused as an exclusion.

Hope this lesson helped you clarify the difference between “ga(が)” and “wa(は) particles!