What is the difference between は and が? - Feed Post by Darwo
What is the difference between は and が?
posted by Darwo
Comments 18
は is the topic maker. が is the subject maker. １．ゆきさん(は)きょうしつにいます。２．きょうしつにゆきさん(が)います。
I read that, i noticed a difference, but i didn't get it. :(- ahhh.. I suck at explaining then... Sowiiiee... google it? and you'll be fine. it takes some time to get used to. so don't worry I've been there
- I already did that but I can't understand it. I hope someone can explain it in a simple way, I think it is easier to understand something when people explain it with their experiences, words, etc.
- I will analyze your comment better, because I think something too silly is preventing me from understanding.
- oh goody! wait, okay what if I change example 2 a little.
As in きょうしつに(は)ゆきさんがいます.
therefore, the topic of the first sentence is ゆきさん. the topic of the second sentence is きょうしつ.
- where is Yuki? She's the topic of the conversation! YUKI! Oh she's in the classroom!
Who is in the classroom? Now the classroom is the topic of the conversation and the subject is the person inside it. So who's in the classroom? Yuki is!
HOPE THAT CLEARS IT ALL OUT. Explaining with experiences, you say.
- Let me see if I understood. If I say ぼくはねこがすきです I am saying that cat is the one I like?
- in this situation, yes. and the translation is "I like cats"
- But how should I reply when someone asks "do you like cats?" and "do you like cats or dogs?".
- I mean, answer.
- you say はい、好きです。
Its pretty hard to explain は and が because theres no direct english translation for it. It's basically when you start a sentence and you want to bring in a topic for example: 私は猫が好きです。The topic you are talking about is yourself so you know the sentence will be about you. が is like stating something, Its more direct well は is more of an overall thing (hence it being called the topic) Another example: あなたは猫が好きですか？はい、私は猫が好きです。(the topic is you/me and the subject stated is cat) I hope that clears up somethings! The more you read the more it'l become apparent.- That's more like it! thank you! (@Kazzeko) you're a god sent! oh by the way Darwo, if someone does ask you "do you like cats or dogs?". You say, 犬が好きです or 猫が好きです depending on which animal you actually like.
- Thank you for your answers. :)
It makes it a bit more clear. I guess I have to learn more to fully understand it, but don't worry about it. 
Thanks you all for explanation and example above.
I also confuse between は and が . As all of your example above, is it right if I understand that Subject + は+ Object + が+ Verb/ Adj ?- This explanation ( http://nihonshock.com/2010/02/particles-the-difference-between-wa-and-ga/ ) is probably the best, thats where i finally understood the differences between them. I'm not sure if ubject + は+ Object + が+ Verb/ Adj would be correct all the time?? since i havent studied grammar to a huge extent yet so i'm not sure. I've read so many attempts at explanations including tae kims his is pretty good as well! check him out if you havent heard of him yet.
は is used mainly when introducing a subject but it is also used when the topic of the subject is not known to the listener. か on the other hand is used when both the speaker and the listener know the subject of the conversation.
