が
Meanings
- Subject marking particle
- Identification/attributive marking in some contexts (as in 'X is Y')
About this pattern
Explanation
The particle が marks the subject of a sentence or clause. It highlights the thing or person performing the action or the thing existing, and is often used when introducing new information, contrasting with は which topics or themes. It can also be used in identification contexts, especially in sentences like 'X is Y' where が marks the subject and です or だ asserts the identification. In questions, が often appears in interrogative structures to identify the subject.
Learn in context
Example sentences
There is a cat.
Who will come?
I am the student.
The sun rises.
He is the teacher.
Other Readings
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More N5 patterns
to be; is; equals; identifies as
View detailsto be; is; am; used to state something politely
View detailsAs for... (highlights sentence topic); Topic marker used to indicate what the sentence is about; Marks the topic of the sentence, sometimes with contrast
View detailsalso; too; as well; even; either; neither
View detailsthis (near the speaker); this thing; this one
View detailsthat; that thing (near the listener); the thing referred to earlier
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