は vs が: Complete Guide to Japanese Subject Particles
Master the difference between は and が particles in Japanese. Complete guide with examples, common mistakes, and practice exercises.
•Updated 2026-04-23•8 min read
Reviewed by GyanMirai Editorial Team•Last reviewed 2026-04-23
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Grammar Comparison JLPT N5 JLPT N5
はvsが
は vs が: Complete Guide to Japanese Subject Particles (With Examples)
Master the difference between は and が particles in Japanese. Complete guide with examples, common mistakes, and practice exercises for JLPT levels.
Read time: 8 min readSearches: 12,000+ monthlyUpdated: February 3, 2026
Understanding the difference between は (wa) andが (ga) is one of the most important distinctions in Japanese grammar. This comprehensive guide will help you master when and how to use each one correctly.
Grammar Point A
は (wa)
Topic particle
Marks the topic of conversation, shows contrast, used for general statements about known information
Formation: Noun + は / Adjective + は / Adverb + は
Grammar Point B
が (ga)
Subject particle
Marks the grammatical subject, introduces new information, shows emphasis, used in relative clauses
Formation: Noun + が
Quick Comparison Table
Aspect
は
が
Meaning
Topic particle
Subject particle
Usage
Marks the topic of conversation, shows contrast, used for general statements about known information
Marks the grammatical subject, introduces new information, shows emphasis, used in relative clauses
Formation
Noun + は / Adjective + は / Adverb + は
Noun + が
JLPT Level
N5
N5
Function
Topic marker
Subject marker
Information type
Known/established information
New/specific information
Can show contrast
Yes
No
Used in relative clauses
No
Yes
With question words
No
Yes
With adjectives (好き, 欲しい)
No
Yes
Scope
Can cross clause boundaries
Limited to one clause
Key Differences
1
は marks topics, が marks subjects: は shows what you're talking about (the topic), while が shows who or what is doing the action (the grammatical subject). This is the fundamental difference.
2
は for known information, が for new information: Use は when both speaker and listener already know what you're referring to. Use が when introducing new information or answering questions.
3
は can show contrast, が cannot: は has a contrastive function, often translating to 'as for...' or 'but'. が simply marks the subject without any contrastive meaning.
4
が is mandatory in certain constructions: With adjectives like 好き, 欲しい, できる, and in relative clauses, you must use が, not は.
5
Question words always use が: 誰が (who), 何が (what), どれが (which) always use が because they're asking for new, unknown information.
When to Use Which?
Follow this decision guide to choose the right grammar point.
Yes
Yes
Use は
No
Use が
No
Yes
Use が
No
Use は
Examples with Explanations
は
私は学生です。
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
I am a student.
Tip: は marks 'I' as the topic - we're making a statement about me in general.
Context: Introducing yourself or stating a general fact about yourself
が
私が学生です。
Watashi ga gakusei desu.
I'm the student. / I am the one who is a student.
Tip: が emphasizes that specifically I (not someone else) am the student. This could be answering 'who is the student?'
Context: Answering a question or correcting someone
は
映画は面白かったです。
Eiga wa omoshirokatta desu.
The movie was interesting.
Tip: は marks 'movie' as the topic - we're discussing a movie that both people know about.
Context: Continuing a conversation about a movie you both saw
が
映画が面白かったです。
Eiga ga omoshirokatta desu.
The movie was interesting. / It was the movie that was interesting.
Tip: が introduces new information or emphasizes that it was specifically the movie (not something else) that was interesting.
Context: Answering 'what was interesting?' or introducing new information
が
誰が来ましたか？
Dare ga kimashita ka?
Who came?
Tip: Question words like 誰 (who) always use が because they're asking for new, unknown information.
Context: Asking about an unknown person
は
田中さんは元気ですか？
Tanaka-san wa genki desu ka?
How is Mr. Tanaka? / Is Mr. Tanaka well?
Tip: は marks Tanaka as the topic - asking about someone both people know.
Context: Asking about someone's condition when both people know the person
が
コーヒーが好きです。
Koohii ga suki desu.
I like coffee.
Tip: 好き (like) requires が to mark what is liked. This is a fixed grammar pattern.
Nihongo wa wakarimasu ga, chuugokugo wa wakarimasen.
I understand Japanese, but I don't understand Chinese.
Tip: は shows contrast between Japanese and Chinese - 'as for Japanese... as for Chinese...'
Context: Making a contrastive statement
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1Using は with question words
Correction: Always use が with question words like 誰, 何, どれ
Question words ask for new information, so they need が, not は.
Wrong: 誰は来ましたか？ -- Who came? (incorrect particle)
Correct: 誰が来ましたか？ -- Who came? (correct)
Mistake #2Using が for general statements
Correction: Use は for general, topic-setting statements
When making broad statements about something, は is more natural than が.
Wrong: 今日が暖かいです。 -- Today is warm (unnatural emphasis)
Correct: 今日は暖かいです。 -- Today is warm (natural statement)
Mistake #3Using は with preference adjectives
Correction: Use が with 好き, 欲しい, できる, etc.
These adjectives have a fixed grammar pattern that requires が.
Wrong: この本は欲しいです。 -- I want this book (wrong particle)
Correct: この本が欲しいです。 -- I want this book (correct)
Mistake #4Overusing は when introducing new information
Correction: Use が when answering questions or introducing new facts
When providing new information that the listener doesn't know, が is more appropriate.
Wrong: 新しい先生は田中さんです。 -- The new teacher is Mr. Tanaka (assuming known)
Correct: 新しい先生が田中さんです。 -- The new teacher is Mr. Tanaka (new information)
Memory Tips
Tip 1
Topic vs Subject Visualization
Think of は as setting the stage (topic) and が as the actor (subject). The stage is what we're talking about, the actor is who does the action.
Example: In 'パーティーは田中さんが来ます', the party is the stage (は), Tanaka is the actor who comes (が).
Tip 2
Question Test
If you can ask 'what about X?' then use は. If you're answering 'who/what?', use が.
Example: 田中さんは？(What about Tanaka?) vs 誰が？(Who?)
Tip 3
Contrast Clue
If you can imagine adding 'but' or comparing with something else, use は.
Example: 日本語は分かります(が、中国語は分かりません) - Japanese I understand (but Chinese I don't)
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these practice questions. Click on your answer to see if you are correct.
0 / 6 answered
Q1
誰___日本語の先生ですか？
Who is the Japanese teacher?
Q2
私___学生です。
I am a student.
Q3
あの人___田中さんです。
That person is Mr. Tanaka.
Q4
コーヒー___好きです。
I like coffee.
Q5
昨日___雨でした。
Yesterday was rainy.
Q6
日本語___分かりますが、中国語___分かりません。
I understand Japanese, but I don't understand Chinese.
Frequently Asked Questions
は marks the topic (what you're talking about) while が marks the subject (who/what performs the action). は is used for known information and general statements, while が is used for new information and emphasis. Think of は as setting the stage for conversation, and が as highlighting the main actor.
When は functions as a particle (not part of a word), it's always pronounced 'wa'. This is a special reading that developed historically. When は appears within words like はな (hana - flower), it's pronounced 'ha'. This pronunciation rule is unique to the particle function.
Certain adjectives require が, especially those expressing personal feelings, abilities, or desires: 好き (like), 嫌い (dislike), 欲しい (want), できる (can do), 分かる (understand), 要る (need). This is because these adjectives focus on the specific thing that causes the feeling or ability, requiring が to mark that thing as the subject.
No, you cannot use は in relative clauses. Only が can be used because relative clauses describe specific actions or states, not general topics. For example: '昨日来た人が田中さんです' (The person who came yesterday is Tanaka). Here, が must be used even though it might seem like は would work.
Native speakers generally follow these rules automatically, but in casual speech, は is sometimes used where が would be grammatically correct, especially in certain dialects or emphatic situations. However, for learners, it's important to master the standard rules first before exploring casual variations. The rules provide the foundation for natural-sounding Japanese.
Summary
Use は when...
Marks the topic of conversation, shows contrast, used for general statements about known information
Use が when...
Marks the grammatical subject, introduces new information, shows emphasis, used in relative clauses
Pro Tip: The best way to master the difference is through reading and listening practice. Pay attention to how native speakers use these grammar points in context.
