が (subject)
ga (subject)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
Marks the grammatical subject; identifies "which one"; used with question words, existence, likes/abilities, and descriptions.
が marks the subject: the thing that exists, does something or has a quality. The simplest rule for a beginner: が points out WHICH thing. So it goes after question words (誰が "who"), in answers to those questions (田中さんが "Tanaka did"), when saying something exists (猫がいます "there is a cat") and before feeling and ability words (寿司が好きです "I like sushi").
Question words (誰・何・どれ・どこ), existence (あります・います), likes and skills (好き・嫌い・上手・下手), understanding and ability (分かる・できる), wanting (ほしい), and describing something noticed for the first time (雨が降っています).
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
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
Visual diagram
| Aspect | は (topic) | が (subject) |
|---|---|---|
| Question word | never: ×誰は | 誰が来ましたか |
| Answer to "who?" | — | 田中さんが来ました |
| Existence | 猫はいます (as for the cat, it's here) | 猫がいます (there is a cat) |
| Likes / ability | 寿司は好きです (contrast) | 寿司が好きです (normal) |
Natural examples
誰が来ましたか。
だれが きましたか。
Who came?
A question word is always followed by が.
猫がいます。
ねこが います。
There is a cat.
Existence: "a cat exists". The thing that exists takes が.
私は寿司が好きです。
わたしは すしが すきです。
I like sushi.
The object of 好き takes が, not を.
A：誰が来ましたか。 B：田中さんが来ました。
だれが きましたか。 たなかさんが きました。
Who came? — Mr Tanaka came.
The answer to a が question also uses が.
すみません、時間がありません。
すみません、じかんが ありません。
Sorry, I have no time.
"There is no time": the thing that (doesn't) exist takes が.
Similar grammar and the difference
は marks what you are talking about (old information); が marks the subject and new information. Compare side by side
を marks what an action is done to (パンを食べる). 好き, 分かる and ほしい are not actions, so they take が. Compare side by side
A different が: after a clause it means "but". Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 私は日本語を分かります。
- ✓
- 私は日本語が分かります。
- Why
- 分かる, できる, 好き and ほしい take が, not を.
- ✗
- 何は食べますか。
- ✓
- 何を食べますか。／ 何が好きですか。
- Why
- A question word never takes は.
- ✗
- 机の上に本はあります。(as first mention)
- ✓
- 机の上に本があります。
- Why
- When you point out that something exists (new information), use が.
Question words (誰・何・どれ) are always followed by が, never は. The object of 好き・嫌い・上手・下手・わかる・できる・ほしい takes が.
JLPT N5 tips
On the exam
- Check the word after the blank. If it is あります・います・好き・上手・分かります・できます・ほしい, the answer is が.
- Check the word before the blank. If it is 誰・何・どれ・どこ・いつ, the answer is が (never は).
Frequently asked questions
What does が (subject) mean?
Marks the grammatical subject; identifies "which one"; used with question words, existence, likes/abilities, and descriptions. が marks the subject: the thing that exists, does something or has a quality. The simplest rule for a beginner: が points out WHICH thing. So it goes after question words (誰が "who"), in answers to those questions (田中さんが "Tanaka did"), when saying something exists (猫がいます "there is a cat") and before feeling and ability words (寿司が好きです "I like sushi").
How do you form が (subject)?
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. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is が (subject) used?
Question words (誰・何・どれ・どこ), existence (あります・います), likes and skills (好き・嫌い・上手・下手), understanding and ability (分かる・できる), wanting (ほしい), and describing something noticed for the first time (雨が降っています).
What is the difference between が (subject) and は?
は marks what you are talking about (old information); が marks the subject and new information.
What is the difference between が (subject) and を?
を marks what an action is done to (パンを食べる). 好き, 分かる and ほしい are not actions, so they take が.
What is a common mistake with が (subject)?
Wrong: 私は日本語を分かります。 Right: 私は日本語が分かります。 分かる, できる, 好き and ほしい take が, not を.
Quick check
What goes in ( )? 誰（ ）来ましたか。