は (wa) vs が (ga)
What's the Difference?
Quick Answer
は marks the topic (what you're talking about), while が identifies or emphasizes the subject. Use は for known information and が for new information or emphasis.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | は (wa) | が (ga) |
|---|---|---|
| JLPT | N5 | N5 |
| Formality | neutral | neutral |
| Function | Marks the topic of the sentence — what the sentence is about | Identifies or emphasizes the subject — who or what does the action |
| Information Type | Used for known or old information already in context | Used for new information being introduced |
| Question Words | Not used directly with question words like 誰, 何 | Always pairs with question words: 誰が, 何が |
| Contrast | Can show contrast: コーヒーは飲みます (Coffee, I drink [but not tea]) | Cannot show contrast in the same way |
は (wa)
JLPT: N5 | Formality: neutral
- Function: Marks the topic of the sentence — what the sentence is about
- Information Type: Used for known or old information already in context
- Question Words: Not used directly with question words like 誰, 何
- Contrast: Can show contrast: コーヒーは飲みます (Coffee, I drink [but not tea])
が (ga)
JLPT: N5 | Formality: neutral
- Function: Identifies or emphasizes the subject — who or what does the action
- Information Type: Used for new information being introduced
- Question Words: Always pairs with question words: 誰が, 何が
- Contrast: Cannot show contrast in the same way
Example Sentences
は (wa)
私は学生です。
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
I am a student. (I [topic] am a student)
東京は大きい街です。
Toukyou wa ookii machi desu.
Tokyo is a big city. (Tokyo [topic] is a big city)
魚は食べますが、肉は食べません。
Sakana wa tabemasu ga, niku wa tabemasen.
I eat fish, but I don't eat meat. (contrast)
が (ga)
誰が来ましたか？
Dare ga kimashita ka?
Who came? (identifying the subject)
雨が降っています。
Ame ga futte imasu.
It's raining. (rain [subject] is falling)
あの人が先生です。
Ano hito ga sensei desu.
That person is the teacher. (identifying who)
Common Mistakes
- ⚠ Using は when answering 'who/what' questions — the answer needs が (Q: 誰が来た？ A: 田中さんが来た。)
- ⚠ Using が for general statements about a topic — use は instead (私は日本語を勉強しています, not 私が)
- ⚠ Forgetting that は can mark contrast — コーヒーは好きです means 'I like coffee (but maybe not other things)'
Memory Tip
💡 Think of は as a spotlight on what comes AFTER it (the comment about the topic), and が as a spotlight on what comes BEFORE it (identifying who/what).
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