Suzukisan wa okaasan ga taijin desu
“wa” and “ga”
“wa” is always a topic and a signboard of sentences. The topic is something that you know already in your mind and you are explaining about it, while “ga” is representing something that is recognized in front of you and reporting or depicting about it.
Topic “wa” is silent once you say it, only indicated once.
“wa” is in your mind (objects are already collected in your mind). Mainly used with noun-sentences and adjective sentences. Describing its features means you have already collected the objects.
“ga” is happening in front of you (objects are collected right now and here, then emphasis.) Mainly used with verb-sentence.
“ga” is also used in modifier clauses.
Renji ga ugoite imasu. (fresh information)
After a certain time
Renji wa ugoite imasu. (known information, explaining)
…wa …ga …
In this lesson, you’ll learn the “…wa …ga …” sentence form, which is very useful and versatile in expressing various concepts. If you have experience with computer programming, understanding this form might be easier for you. It’s similar to the CSS syntax p1{color: blue}, which is equivalent to saying “p1 wa color ga blue”. If you are not familiar with programming, please refer to the example sentences below to grasp the essence of this structure.
The particle ‘wa’ indicates a broader theme or topic (serving as a signboard for the sentence), while ‘ga’ specifies the subject.
The sentence structure ‘A wa B ga C desu’ translates to ‘Regarding A, its B is C’ in English.
When C is a noun or adjective, the structure ‘A wa B ga C desu’ can also be expressed as ‘A no B wa C desu.’
Words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| haha | mother (when talking about your mother) |
| okaasan | mother |
| isha | doctor |
| oishasan | doctor (with affinity) |
| senmon | specialty |
| hana | nose |
| mimi | ear |
| kyuuryou | income |
| ninki | popular |
| amari …jaarimasen | not that … |
Expressions
Justin:
Watashi wa haha ga isha desu. Haha wa senmon ga hana to mimi desu.
Watashi wa hana ga yokunai desu. Mimi wa iidesu.
Suzuki:
Firipin wa oishasan ga ninki desuka?
Justin:
Hai, ninki desu.
Suzuki:
Oishasan wa kyuuryou ga iidesuka?
Justin:
Iidesu.
Exercise
Question
Translate the followings into English.
Ano neko wa ashi ga mijikai desu.
Suzukisan wa kami ga nagai desu.
Jasutinsan wa ashi ga nagai desu.
Satousan wa kareshi ga amerikajin desu.
Suzukisan wa okaasan ga taijin desu.
Answer
The leg of that cat is short.
Suzuki-san’s hair is long.
Justin-san’s legs are long.
Sato-san’s boyfriend is American.
Suzuki-san’s mother is Thai.