Subjects of Japanese Verbs with the Particles: は and が

Last time, you learned the basic knowledge of Japanese verbs such as what ru-verb and u-verbs are and how to conjugate them. In this lesson, you will learn how to use Japanese verbs in a sentence by using the particles: は and が.

Intransitive Verbs: How to Set a Subject with the Particle は and が

Like in English, there is another aspect of Japanese verbs: intransitive and transitive verbs. The difference is very simple in that it comes down to whether verbs have objects or not. For example, the sentence: “I’m running” doesn’t have an object and thus “run” is an intransitive verb. The sentence: “I will play baseball” has an object and thus “play” is a transitive verb. The concept is the same in Japanese. Now, we will show you how to make sentences with Japanese intransitive verbs.

What Is a Complete Sentence Like?

Since sentences without subjects are very common in Japanese, one verb can be a complete sentence when the context clearly tells who or what you’re referring to. Take a look at the following examples.

That’s easy, isn’t it? Do you remember how to conjugate them? Let’s make them the negative form as a review.

Note: Japanese Future Tense

Grammatically, Japanese uses the same form for the present and future tense. We indicate future actions or states using time expressions: 今晩こんばん (this evening) 明日あした (tomorrow), 来年らいねん (next year), etc. Even if there is not a key phrase, the context tells the listener whether or not it is a routine action or future action. You will specifically learn this in the tense section later.

The Topic Particle は VS. the Particle が (Subjects of Predicate)

When the context is not clear enough to omit, you have to set a subject. However, since Japanese has two particles which can express subjects, learners often get confused with the usage.

Topics Can Only Be Made Using は

First of all, let us clarify what we are discussing. Regarding the first は, it cannot be replaced with が because topics can only be made by using the topic particle は (and the particle も if there is a inclusion). Here, how to make subjects is the argument point.

Another Function of は Indicates Contrast

As we explained in the previous article, the topic particle は should be used once in a sentence. Here, the second は doesn’t work as a topic marker, but indicates contrast. Suppose that you will run and your friend will swim in the sports day and your mother asks, “Will both you and your friend run in the sports day?” you should reply, “私わたしは（走はしる / 走はしります）。友達ともだちは （泳およぐ / 泳およぎます）” because it signifies a contrast between the people.

Another Function of が Indicates New Information

Please imagine the following situation, you have opened a window and noticed it’s about to rain. The particle が is used to introduce such new information. Let’s take a similar example to the above. Suppose that you will run and your friend will swim in the sports day and your mother asks, “Will you swim in the sports day?” you should reply, “私わたしは（泳およがない / 泳およぎません）。友達ともだちが （泳およぐ / 泳およぎます）” because the topic, which the mother made, is 私わたし and she had never mentioned the friend, i.e. the friend is new information to her.

In short, using both the particles: は and が to set subjects are correct, but the nuance is different. You might not completely understand the nuance, but that’s all right. Most people are unable to do it at the beginning. As you encounter more Japanese expressions, you will be able to figure it out gradually. As of now, please just memorize how they are different.

More Examples

The functions of the particles are applicable when the predicate is a noun or an adjective. The following is a script of self-introduction.

How to Recognize the Function of は between Topic and Contrast

The forms can be exactly the same. Thus, depending on the context or your intention, the particle は will express either topics or contrasts.

Suppose that your name is Ichiro Suzuki. And, if you reply to the following question with the above sentence: “Your name is Ichiro Tanaka, isn’t it?” the particle は will work to express the contrast like “The first name is correct, but the family name is wrong.” If you reply to the following question with the above sentence: “May I have your family name?” the particle は will work as a topic marker because you and he/she are talking while having the common topic: family name.

Summary

1. There are intransitive and transitive verbs
2. は can express contrast
3. が can express new information

Again, you don’t have to understand the usage of は vs. が right now. Both of them are grammatically correct and so you can make a complete sentence with a verb now. As you proceed with your learning, you will be able to make your sentence sound more natural. Don’t be a perfectionist. Next, you will learn how to make objects of Japanese verbs.