は VS が

As an explanation of how to use the particles "は" and "が" properly, classifies into 5 categories.

 

(1) Depending on whether it is new information or old information.

 

In conversations and contexts, if the nominative noun is unknown (= new information), it is expressed using "ga", and if it is known (= old information), it is expressed using "ha".

 

・ 鈴木(すずき)さんは校長(こうちょう)です。Mr. Suzuki is the principal. (Since "Mr. Suzuki" is "known", it is indicated by adding "ha")

・ 鈴木(すずき)さんが校長(こうちょう)です。Mr. Suzuki is the principal. (Since it is "unknown" who the principal is, "Mr. Suzuki" is indicated by adding "ga")

 

 

(2) Depending on whether it is a phenomenon sentence or a judgment sentence.

 

A sentence that expresses a phenomenon as it is without adding the speaker's subjective judgment is called a "phenomenon sentence", and the nominative case of the phenomenon sentence is "ga". On the other hand, a sentence expressed by the speaker adding subjective judgment to the phenomenon is called a "judgment sentence", and the nominative case of the judgment sentence is "ha".

 

 

・ (Looking at the dog in front of you) 犬(いぬ)が寝(ね)そべっている。The dog is lying down. (Phenomenon sentence)

・ (Pointing to an umbrella that was about to be taken by another person by mistake) それは私の傘です。It is my umbrella. (Judgment sentence)

 

 

(3)  Depending on whether how far the main topic is related (= connected), whether it is related to the end of the sentence, or whether it is related only to the clause.

 

It is a method to use properly based on the fact that "ha" is used when the nominative case extends to the end of the sentence, and "ga" is used when it is related only to the clause.

 

 

・ 父(ちち)が晩酌(ばんしゃく)をするとき、つきあうWhen my father has an evening drink, I go out with him.

・ 父(ちち)は晩酌(ばんしゃく)をするとき、冷(ひ)や奴(やっこ)を食(た)べる When my father has an evening drink, he eats cold tofu.

 

 

(4) Depending on whether the nominative case expresses the meaning of contrast or the meaning of exclusion.

 

When the nominative case has the meaning of contrast, "compared to," for the same type of noun that does not appear in the sentence, "ha" is used (contrast "ha"). ), "Ga" is used when it has the exclusive meaning of "that is only

 

 

・ 犬は好きだが、猫は嫌いだ。I like dogs, but I don't like cats. (Represents the meaning of contrast)

・ 私が責任者だ。I am the person in charge. (In the sense of exclusivity that I am the only person in charge, not the others here)

 

 

(5)  Depending on whether it is designated sentence or the measures sentence.

 

A predicate such as 「貴乃花(たかのはな)は横綱(よこづな)だ」"Takanohana is Takanohana" The predicate represents the title of the nominative noun, and a sentence that cannot be rephrased as 「横綱(よこづな)が貴乃花(たかのはな)だ」"Yokozuna is Takanohana" is called a "measures sentence", and "ha" is used in the measures sentence. On the other hand, a sentence that indicates that the predicate noun is the same as the nominative noun, such as

 

「鈴木(すずき)さんはあの人(ひと)だ」 "Mr. Suzuki is that person," and is paraphrased as 「あの人(ひと)が鈴木(すずき)さんだ」"that person is Mr. Suzuki," is a "designated sentence." , "Identification sentence", and "ha" and "ga" can be used in this kind of sentence.

 

 

・ 地球(ちきゅう)は、太陽(たいよう)系(けい)の惑星(わくせい)だ。（Earth is a planet in the solar system. (Measures)

・ あの人(ひと)の趣味(しゅみ)は、勉強(べんきょう)だThat person's hobby is studying. (Designated sentence)