が indicates the subject of an intransitive verb
Sentence Structure Pattern
- Subject + が 〜
The particle "が" is also used to indicate the subject of an intransitive verb (a verb that indicates an action or state that doesn't affect other things).
This serves the role of clarifying what the subject of the action or state is.
Japanese
雨が降っている。
English
It is raining.
Japanese
花が咲いている。
English
Flowers are blooming.
が indicates the object of an transitive verb
が indicates existence
Sentence Structure Pattern
- 〜
beings + が + いる - 〜
things + が + ある
English Meaning
ある means There is 〜, There are 〜 いる means Someone are in <place>
When used with verbs that indicate existence, such as "ある" and "いる", the particle "が" signifies the existence of people or things.
In this context, "が" connects the subject with the location where it exists, clearly showing the relationship between the subject and its location.
Explanation of 〜がある
"ある" is used when referring to the existence of inanimate objects or non-living things.
It indicates the state of being present or existing.
Japanese
そこに私の家がある。
English
There is my house there.
Explanation of 〜がいる
"いる" is used when referring to the existence of living beings, such as people and animals.
It indicates the state of being present or existing in a place.
Japanese
公園に子供がいる。
English
The children are in the park.
if you wanted to know about verb conjugation of "ある" and "いる", please see links below.
- Conjugation for Japanese verb Aru, to be; to exist, ある
- Conjugation for Japanese verb Iru, to exist, いる
Verbs of ability
Sentence Structure Pattern
- Object を Verb(る) + こと が できます。
- Object を Verb(る) + こと が わかります。
- Object を Verb(る) + こと が 理解できます。
English Meaning
Subject understand Object
In Japanese, "が" is used to indicate the object of verbs that express ability.
While in English, the object is usually used with expressions such as "can" or "able to", in Japanese, it is common to use "が" with the object.
Japanese
日本語を読むことができます。
English
I can read Japanese.
Japanese
その問題を理解することができました。
English
I was able to understand the problem.
Verbs of sensation
Sentence Structure Pattern
- 〜 が 聞こえます。
- 〜 が 見えます。
English Meaning
I can hear Object I can see Object
In Japanese, "ga" is used to indicate the object of verbs that express sensation.
By using "ga" to specify the object of sensation, sentences become more precise.
Japanese
ここから富士山が見えます。
English
You can see Mount Fuji from here.
Japanese
鳥の鳴き声が聞こえます。
English
I can hear the birds chirping.
Verbs and adjectives of necessity
Sentence Structure Pattern
- 〜 が 必要です
- 〜 が いります。
English Meaning
Subject need Object
In Japanese, "ga" is used to indicate the object of verbs and adjectives that express necessity (for example, hitsuyou da, iru, etc.).
By using "ga" to specify what is needed, sentences become more precise.
Japanese
お金が必要です。
English
I need money.
Japanese
もっと時間がいります。
English
I need more time.
In Japanese, "が" is used to indicate the object of adjectives that express desire.
By using "が", you can explicitly show what you desire.
Japanese
新しい車が欲しいです。
English
I want a new car.
Verbs and adjectives of emotion
Sentence Structure Pattern
- 〜 が 好きです。
- 〜 が 嫌いです。
- 〜 が 心配です。
- 〜 が 怖いです。
English Meaning
Subject like Object Subject don't like Object be worried about be scared of
In Japanese, が is used to indicate the object of verbs and adjectives that express emotions (for example, suki, kirai, kowai, etc.).
By using が, you can explicitly show what the target of these emotions is.
Japanese
音楽が好きです。
English
I like music.
Japanese
高いところが怖いです。
English
I'm afraid of heights.
Japanese
日本に行くのが心配です。
English
I'm worry about going to Japan.
が indicates the object of adjective
Adjectives of desire
Sentence Structure Pattern
- 〜 が 欲しいです。
- 〜 が 必要です。
English Meaning
Subject want Object
Japanese
お金が欲しいです。
English
I want money.
Japanese
日本語を話せるようになる必要があります。
English
I need to be able to speak Japanese.
Adjectives of ability
Sentence Structure Pattern
- 〜 が 得意です。
- 〜 が 上手です。
- 〜 が 早いです。
- 〜 が 速いです。
English Meaning
be good at fast, early, quick, speedy
In Japanese, "が" is used to indicate the object of adjectives that express ability (for example, dekiru, wakaru, etc.).
By using "が", you can explicitly show what one can do or understand.
Japanese
数学が得意です。
English
I'm good at math.
Japanese
運転が上手です。
English
I'm good at driving.
が indicates the Subject of new Information
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ New information ] + が 〜
English Meaning
be
The particle が is often used to indicate the subject when introducing new information.
It is used to explicitly state the subject of unknown matters or new facts being introduced.
Japanese
Q.その箱に何が入っていますか？ A.本が入っています。
English
Q.What's in that box? A: There are books in it.
Japanese
Q.昨日誰が来ましたか？ A.山田さんが来ました。
English
Q: Who came yesterday? A: Mr. Tanaka came.
Japanese
Q.何が必要ですか？ A.水が必要です。
English
Q: What do you need? A: I need water.
が is used with interrogative words in questions
Sentence Structure Pattern
- 何(なに) + が 〜
- どこ + が 〜
- どれ + が 〜
- だれ + が 〜
English Meaning
What Where Which Who
The particle "が" is used to indicate the subject in question sentences with interrogative words such as "who", "what", "which", etc.
This serves to explicitly show that specific information is missing, prompting an answer to fill in the gap.
Japanese
誰がそれをしましたか？
English
Who did that?
Japanese
どれがあなたのカバンですか？
English
Which is your bag?
Japanese
どの色が一番好きですか？
English
Which color do you like the most?
Japanese
どんな映画が好きですか？
English
What kind of movie do you like?
が indicates the subject of a relative clause
Sentence Structure Pattern
- Subject + が + Verb + Object
A relative clause is a clause that modifies another clause within a sentence.
The particle "が" is used to indicate the subject within a relative clause.
This is a characteristic part of Japanese grammar, especially when compared to English.
Japanese
彼が作った料理はとても美味しかった。
English
Japanese
これは私が通っている学校です。
English
が indicates the subject of a clause ending in か
Sentence Structure Pattern
- Subject + が + Verb + かどうか
In clauses ending in "ka" (usually sentences expressing a question or uncertainty), "が" is used to indicate the subject.
This serves the role of explicitly stating the subject of the question or uncertainty that the clause is expressing.
Japanese
その店が開いているかどうかわかりません。
English
I don't know if that shop is open.
が marks a different subject in subordinate clauses.
Sentence Structure Pattern
- Subject + が + Verb + ば、S 〜
- Subject + が + Verb + なら、S 〜
- Subject + が + Verb + たら、S 〜
In Japanese grammar, "が" is used in subordinate or conditional clauses (clauses that begin with expressions such as "～tara", "～nara", "～ba", etc.) to indicate a subject that is different from the subject of the main clause.
This is important for explicitly stating the subject of the action or state within the clause.
Japanese
君が行けば、私も行きます。
English