Unit 9 of 30

Choose a topic or identify the answer

Review the foundations if needed: Ask with ka; add with mo

What to notice

Use は to establish or contrast a topic. Use が to identify the missing person or thing in the situations below. Context decides the choice; neither particle has one fixed English translation.

だれが来ましたか。田中さんが来ました。

Who came? Tanaka came.

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Before checking the answer

Try retrieving the answer from memory. After a mistake, read the explanation and form the answer again. A same-day retry does not replace a later spaced review.

From recognising to using it

Three steps, five questions each. You can open any step. Questions answered elsewhere keep their history; opening an answer does not count as a correct response.

Self-check practice

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1. Someone asks 誰が来ますか. Complete the direct answer: 田中さん（　）来ます。

が

を

で

に

Answer and explanation

が

が identifies Tanaka as the answer to who is coming.

2. Introduce a topic without contrast: 私（　）学生です。

は

を

で

へ

Answer and explanation

は

は establishes 私 as the topic of the description 学生です.

3. Answer 何が好きですか with the thing you like: 日本語（　）好きです。

が

を

へ

で

Answer and explanation

が

好き uses が to identify what is liked in this answer.

4. Contrast two drinks: コーヒーは飲みますが、お茶（　）飲みません。

は

が

へ

に

Answer and explanation

は

は marks the contrasting topic tea. It replaces the object marker を here.

5. Say that Japanese is the language you can use: 日本語（　）できます。

が

を

で

へ

Answer and explanation

が

In this beginner pattern, the ability 日本語ができます uses が.

Step 1: Choose the expression

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History and self-check answers

The answers below are for self-study and do not record a score. Mixed practice uses topics you have practised.

Recorded questions in this set: 0

Correct on first attempt: 0

What to do next

Read the explanation for a mistake, then try retrieving the answer again. You can also open another step above.

Your learning and review schedule

More practice: Wa and Ga Next unit: Connect a place and its position Today's learning and reviews