ENGLISH | ESPAÑOL
The following rules apply to the particle "Ga" in Japanese, and they are very important to remember so that you don't sound rude or out of context when speaking Japanese.
1. "Ga" is used for emphasis on the subject
a) これはバナナです。vs. これがバナナです。=
When using the "wa" particle, you are just stating the topic, meaning the "banana".
When using the "ga" particle, you are making an emphasis to "kore", or the subject, and you are probably comparing it to something else. Like for example "This one here (the one in my hand) is the banana"
2. "Ga" is used with the verbs "imasu" & "arimasu" (To have/to exist)
Note: Let's remember
"Imasu" = used with living things
"arimasu" = used with non living things.
a) ぺっとがいます。= I have a dog
b) 宿題があります= I have homework
3. "Ga" is used to express desire, therefore used with "hoshii" and the suffix "~tai"
a) 私は時間がほしいです。= I want time
b) 私はお茶が飲みたいです。= I want to drink tea
4. "Ga" is used with the word "suki" and "kirai" (to like / to dislike)
a) あなたのことがすきです = I like you
5. "Ga" is used with verbs "wakaru" & "dekiru" (To understand / to be able to)
a) 私は料理ができません。= I can't cook
b)この漢字の意味がわたりません。= I don't understand the meaning of this kanji
6. "Ga" is used with words "Jouzu" & "Heta" (skillfull / unskilled)
a) スポーツが下手です。= I'm not good at sports
b)田中さnは料理が上手です。Tanaka-san is good at cooking
7. "Ga" is used when describing traits
a) 公園の花がきれいです。= The flowers in the park are beautiful
b) 山下さんはせいが高いです。= Yamashita-san is tall
c) 彼氏は目が茶色です。My boyfriend has brown eyes
8. "Ga" is used with verbs that follow non-living things
a) 今朝雨が降りました。= It rained this morning
b) 携帯が壊れました。= My cellphone broke
9. "Ga" is used with personal sensations (like pain or hunger)
a) 頭が痛い。= My head hurts
b) おなかがすいた=I'm hungry
10. "Ga" is used to express news (no personal news as it might sound arrogant). The Ga is used here, instead of wa, as it carries an empathy (for bad news) or excitement (for good news) feelings.
a) 先生が妊娠しました。= My teacher got pregnant