Particle は vs が: How to Choose the Right One

Many learners struggle with choosing between the subject marker 「が ga」 and the topic marker 「は wa 」 when making sentences.

As I often mention in my lessons, this is not only a challenge for learners of Japanese—it can also be a difficult topic for native speakers. Depending on which one you choose, the nuance of the sentence can change, and in some cases the Japanese may even sound unnatural.

In this first grammar video, I will explain in detail which choice—「は wa」 or 「が ga 」—is considered the standard one for different types of sentences.

By developing a feel for these standard patterns, you’ll be able to recognize the additional nuances that arise when a speaker intentionally chooses a different option.

In the next video, I’ll take a closer look at these deviations from the standard pattern and the meanings they can create:)

If you have any questions, feel free to ask anytime!

📌You can also download a PDF version of the slides used in this video.