Don’t get it twisted!
On Day Three, we introduced は (wa), the topic-marking particle. Today, we’re introducing its often-confused cousin: が (ga).
These two particles cause a lot of headaches for Japanese learners. Even students who have studied Japanese for years sometimes struggle to decide which one to use.
So why are we teaching them back-to-back?
Because the sooner you start recognizing the difference, the sooner it will begin to feel natural.
Over the next 25 days, you’ll encounter は and が again and again. You don’t need to master them today. You just need to start understanding what each one does.
What does が (ga) do?
が is commonly called the subject marker.
While は tells us what we’re talking about (the topic), が identifies the subject of the sentence.
Here’s an easy way to think about the difference:
Both can appear in sentences that look almost identical, but they change what information we’re emphasizing.
Let’s look at an example using vocabulary you’ve already learned.
In the first sentence, わたし (I) is our topic. We’re talking about ourselves and telling someone that we’re a student.
In the second, が identifies me as the student. Perhaps someone asked which person is the student, and I’m identifying myself.
The English translations look very similar, but the emphasis is different.
Remember: は introduces what we’re talking about. が helps identify who or what we’re talking about in the sentence.
That’s our starting point.
When do we use が?
There are several common situations where you’ll encounter が.
When identifying someone or something
Imagine someone asks who the teacher is.
The question asks us to identify someone. が marks the person being identified.
With question words like だれ (who) and なに (what)
When a question word itself is the subject, we use が rather than は.
But notice what happens when we change the question:
Here, せんせい is our topic, so we use は. The question word comes afterward.
These two patterns are worth practicing because you’ll see them constantly.
When pointing out or correcting someone
Imagine someone mistakes your friend for the teacher. You might say:
が helps identify the correct person.
Think of it like a spotlight
We’re pointing directly at the person who fits the description.
With certain words describing feelings, preferences, or abilities
Some Japanese expressions commonly use が to mark the thing being liked, disliked, or described. For example:
We’ll continue exploring expressions like すき (like), きらい (dislike), and じょうず (good at) as you learn more Japanese.
For now, recognize that が isn’t only used to identify people. It appears in many everyday expressions.
When contrasting information, は may appear instead
Here’s where things get interesting.
Even when が would normally be expected, は can sometimes appear when we’re contrasting two things.
We’re contrasting cats and dogs, so は helps establish that comparison.
Don’t worry about mastering this exception yet. Just recognize that Japanese particles are influenced by what the speaker wants to communicate.
Topic vs. subject
Think of は as setting the stage and が as shining a spotlight on something within that stage.
This isn’t a perfect rule for every Japanese sentence, but it’s an excellent place to start.
And remember, は and が aren’t always interchangeable. Some sentence patterns require one or the other.
The best way to learn the difference is to see them in context.
Which brings us to today’s challenge!
は or が?
You’ve learned the basics. Now it’s time to put them to work.
In the interactive manga exercise below, you’ll read short conversations and choose whether は or が belongs in the blank.
You’ll practice six common patterns, including identifying people, asking questions, describing topics, expressing likes and dislikes, and making comparisons.
Each answer comes with a short explanation from Sensei, so don’t worry if you get something wrong.
Your goal isn’t perfection. It’s recognizing why one particle works better than the other.
Try a full round, review the explanations, and practice any patterns that give you trouble.
Sensei’s six rules
36 panels · each round of 10 mixes all six rules · press 1 or 2 after your first tap
Talking about family
Today, we’re learning how to talk about family!
Japanese has an interesting distinction that English doesn’t always make: the words you use to refer to your own family members are often different from the words you use for someone else’s family.
For example, when talking about your own mother to someone outside your family, you would normally say はは (haha). When talking about someone else’s mother, you would typically say おかあさん (okaasan).
But here’s another important detail: you can also call your own mother おかあさん when speaking directly to her.
Confusing? Maybe a little. But there’s a reason for it.
Japanese often distinguishes between speaking about your family to outsiders and addressing family members directly.
It’s part of how relationships and politeness work in Japanese.
You’ll also notice that some family words, such as おばあさん (grandmother/elderly woman) and おじいさん (grandfather/elderly man), can be used to refer to older people outside your family.
Just be careful! Calling a stranger Grandma or Grandpa isn’t always appropriate. Context, age, and familiarity matter.
Let’s learn the vocabulary!
| English | Your family | Someone else’s family |
|---|---|---|
| Mother | ははhaha | おかあさんokaasan |
| Father | ちちchichi | おとうさんotousan |
| Younger sister | いもうとimouto | いもうとさんimoutosan |
| Younger brother | おとうとotouto | おとうとさんotoutosan |
| Older brother | あにani | おにいさんoniisan |
| Older sister | あねane | おねえさんoneesan |
| Grandmother | そぼsobo | おばあさんobaasan |
| Grandfather | そふsofu | おじいさんojiisan |
| Grandchild | まごmago | おまごさんomagosan |
| Husband | おっとotto | ごしゅじんgoshujin |
| Wife | つまtsuma | おくさんokusan |
A quick note
These are common reference forms, not absolute rules. Family members often use familiar or affectionate terms with one another, and the choice of expression depends on the situation.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| いとこitoko | Cousin |
| かぞくkazoku | Family |
| あいai | Love |
| ともだちtomodachi | Friend |
| パスポートpasupooto | Passport |
| いまima | Now |
| けっこんkekkon | Marriage |
| つきあうtsukiau | Dating / Going out with someone |
| すきsuki | Like |
| きらいkirai | Dislike |
| じょうずjouzu | Good at / Skillful |
Don’t feel like you have to memorize every word immediately. Focus on recognizing the difference between your own family members and someone else’s.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice these words as we continue through the challenge.
Before moving on to Day 6
Before moving on, make sure you can: 0 of 6 done
Sensei’s advice
If は and が still feel confusing, that’s completely normal. You aren’t supposed to understand every possible use of these particles after two days.
For now, keep practicing the patterns. As you encounter more Japanese sentences, the difference will become easier to recognize.