KANAKUMA

JLPT N5 · Particles: roles and direction

〜が

Marks the subject or new information

Meaning

Marks the subject or new information.

Formation

  1. Goes after a subject carrying new information: 猫がいます
  2. Required with a question-word subject and in the answer: だれが来ますか

When to use it

Core use
Marks the subject or new information

Examples

14 sentences

  • 猫ねこがいます

    There is a cat.

  • だれが来きますか

    Who will come?

  • 公園こうえんに桜さくらがたくさんあります

    There are many cherry trees in the park.

  • この中なかで赤いあかいかばんが一番いちばん好きすきです

    Of these bags, I like the red one best.

  • 鍵かぎが見つかりみつかりました

    The key has been found.

  • 財布さいふが見つかりみつかりました

    The wallet has been found.

  • だれが窓まどを開けあけましたか

    Who opened the window?

  • 私わたしは犬いぬが好きすきです

    I like dogs.

6 more examples

  • 姉あねは料理りょうりが上手じょうずです

    My older sister is good at cooking.

  • 日本語にほんごが少しすこし分かりわかります

    I understand a little Japanese.

  • 机つくえの上うえに辞書じしょがあります

    There is a dictionary on the desk.

  • 雨あめが降っふっています

    It is raining.

  • この店みせでは何なにが一番いちばんおいしいですか

    What is the most delicious dish at this restaurant?

  • 眼鏡めがねが見つかりみつかりました

    The glasses have been found.

Important notes

  • が marks a subject that carries new information, a question word and its answer: だれが来ますか — 田中さんが来ます. It also marks what is liked, understood, wanted or present: 好き, 分かる, ほしい, ある.

Common mistakes

  • Do not replace が with を for these predicates: 日本語が分かります, 猫が好きです.

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

  1. 姉あねは料理りょうりが上手じょうずです
  2. 雨あめが降っふっています
  3. 眼鏡めがねが見つかりみつかりました

Similar grammar

    Hear it in podcasts

    The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.

    The trainer requires a free account. Examples and practice questions on this page are available without signing up.

    All N5 grammarPractise in the app