Japanese word

が

Pronunciation

Romajiga

Meaning

  • particlesubject marker

Example

これが本です。ko re ga hon de su

This is a book.

Illustration for が (subject marker)

More examples

これがりんごです。ko re ga ri n go de su

This is an apple.

どの色が好きですか。do no iro ga su ki de su ka

Which color do you like?

Core concept

Highlights the person or thing that a sentence presents as acting, being in a state, or belonging to a certain category.

Common phrases

  • 誰がdare ga

    who

  • これがko re ga

    this one

  • 私がwatashi ga

    I

Similar words

はwa: Marks what a statement is about and can present it as a general topic or a contrast.
もmo: Marks a person or thing as sharing an action, state, or quality already mentioned.

Definition in Japanese

文中で、何がそうであるかという対象を示す助詞。bun chū de nan ga sō de a ru ka to i u tai shō o shime su jo shi

Word origin

The Japanese particle が (ga) developed from an older subject and genitive marker, so its modern uses connect the marked noun with the statement that follows.

Usage tips

  • English often leaves が (ga) untranslated because it marks the focused subject rather than adding a separate word.

Word lists with this word