JLPT N5 grammar comparison
が (subject) vs は 〜 が (topic + subject in one sentence)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
The difference
From the は 〜 が (topic + subject in one sentence) lesson
が (subject): が marks what the adjective directly describes.
Side by side
が (subject)
ga (subject) · JLPT N5
- Meaning
- Marks the grammatical subject; identifies "which one"; used with question words, existence, likes/abilities, and descriptions.
- Formation
Question word + が (誰が、何が)Noun + が + あります／いますNoun + が + 好き／嫌い／上手／下手／分かる／できる／ほしい
誰が来ましたか。
だれが きましたか。
Who came?
猫がいます。
ねこが います。
There is a cat.
は 〜 が (topic + subject in one sentence)
wa ... ga · JLPT N5
- Meaning
- The topic (は) is what you talk about; the subject (が) is what the predicate directly describes.
- Formation
Topic + は + Subject + が + Predicate
象は鼻が長いです。
ぞうは はなが ながいです。
Elephants have long trunks. (lit. As for elephants, the nose is long.)
田中さんは目が大きいです。
たなかさんは めが おおきいです。
Ms Tanaka has big eyes.
Frequently asked questions
When do you use は 〜 が (topic + subject in one sentence) instead of が (subject)?
が marks what the adjective directly describes.