It can be quite confusing for beginners to distinguish the differences between「は (Wa)」and「が (Ga)」. I have summarised some points for those who are new to 「は」and「が」 to start. Firstly, let’s have a look at the English grammar on how a complete sentence constructs with the order as below:
Subject-Verb-Object.
For example: She watches TV.
Definitions in English
Subject (noun: person, name, place; the one that performs the action): She
Verb (or predicate: identifies an action): watches
Object (receives the action): TV
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Let’s look at the basic Japanese sentecne consutruction as below with 「は」:
For example: 彼女(かのじょ)はテレビを見(み)ます。
Topic/ Subject + T.M. + Object + D.O.M. + Verb。
Topic/ Subject: 彼女(かのじょ)
Topic Marker (T.M.): は
Object: テレビ
Direct Object Marker (D.O.M.): を
Verb: 見(み)ます
- In Japanese, a topic indicates a topic of discussion. This means the content that the person would like to talk about.
- A topic can also be the subject as in English but covers broader content than the subject.
Subject Marker (S.M.): 「が」marks the subject that performs the action.
彼女(かのじょ)がテレビを見ます。
Topic/ Subject + S.M. + Object + D.O.M. + Verb。
- The topic marker「は」focuses on the action of the sentence.
- The subject marker「が」focuses on the subject of the action.
Examples of Different Focuses
- 貴方(あなた)は 優(やさ)しいです。You are kind. (Not only you.)
- 貴方(あなた)が 優(やさ)しいです。You are kind. (You are the only kind one.)
- 私は学生(がくせい)です。I’m a student.
- 私が学生(がくせい)です。I’m the student.
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