Search pages and navigate
Subject marker / new information
Definition
The particle "が" is used to mark the grammatical subject, especially when introducing new information or answering 'who/what' questions. It is also used with adjectives of desire (〜たい), ability (できる), and existence (ある/いる). The use of "が" emphasizes the subject and indicates that it is new or unexpected. For example, in the sentence "田中さんが来ました。", the particle "が" emphasizes that it was Mr. Tanaka who came, rather than someone else. In the sentence "日本語ができますか。", the particle "が" indicates that the subject is the ability to speak Japanese.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Desire verb (〜たい) | Xが〜たい | 日本語が話したい |
| Ability verb (できる) | Xが〜できる | 日本語が話すことができる |
| Existence verb (ある/いる) | Xが〜いる/ある | 猫がいます/ある |
Examples
誰が来ましたか。
Dare ga kimashita ka.
Who came?
誰が (who) 来ましたか (came?)
田中さんが来ました。
Tanaka-san ga kimashita.
It was Mr. Tanaka who came.
田中さん (Mr. Tanaka) が (who) 来ました (came)
日本語ができますか。
Nihongo ga dekimasu ka.
Can you speak Japanese?
日本語 (Japanese) が (who) できますか (can speak?)
あそこに猫がいます。
Asoko ni neko ga imasu.
There is a cat over there.
あそこに (over there) 猫 (cat) が (who) います (is)
Context
The particle "が" is used to mark the grammatical subject, especially when introducing new information or answering 'who/what' questions. It is also used with adjectives of desire (〜たい), ability (できる), and existence (ある/いる). The use of "が" emphasizes the subject and indicates that it is new or unexpected.
Watch out
The particle "は" is used to mark the subject when it is already known or expected, while "が" is used to mark the subject when it is new or unexpected.
The particle "が" is used with existence verbs ある and いる to indicate that the subject is new or unexpected.
Strategy
Pay attention to the context and the emphasis of the sentence. If the subject is new or unexpected, use "が" instead of "は".
Related
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 〜が used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
「誰が来ましたか。」「田中さんが来ました。」
Pattern used: が
が marks the answer to a 'who' question. The subject is new information being identified.
日本語ができますか。
Pattern used: が
With できる (can do / be able to), the thing one is able to do takes が, not を.
あそこに猫がいます。
Pattern used: が
With existence verb いる, the subject being pointed out (new information) takes が.
Interactive
「誰が来ましたか。」「田中さん______来ました。」
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.