Japanese grammar
What does ～が（subject marker） mean? Japanese grammar N5
～が（subject marker） means particle marking the subject.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N5 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N が V N が Adj |
| Romaji | ~ ga |
| Meaning | particle marking the subject |
How to use it
Marks the subject — especially when introducing NEW information.
- Distinguishing は and が is the hardest point in N5. The practical rule:
- は = TOPIC, already-known information, "speaking about this...". が = SUBJECT, NEW information, emphasizing the subject itself.
- After a question word (だれ・何) and in the matching answer, always use が: 「だれが来ましたか。」「田中さんが来ました。」
- With the verbs あります/います and adjectives of preference/ability (好き・上手・わかる), the object takes が, not を.
Examples
わたしは犬が好きです。
I like dogs.
雨が降っています。
It is raining.
Keep in mind
- Longer sentences often have both: 「わたしは日本語がわかります。」— は introduces the topic, が marks the object.
Common mistakes
-
Wrongわたしは犬を好きです。
I like dogs.
Correctわたしは犬が好きです。
好き is an ADJECTIVE (not a verb) — the object takes が, not を.
-
Wrongだれは来ましたか。
Who came?
Correctだれが来ましたか。
After a question word acting as the subject, always use が.
Exam tips
- は vs が is the classic N5 exam question — remember: question word + が.