が

Meanings

subject marker

Marks the subject of a sentence. Basic particle used in neutral descriptions and statements.

雨あめが降ふっている。
It is raining.
猫ねこが好すきです。
I like cats.

possessive marker (archaic)

Archaic possessive use, equivalent to modern の. Now mostly seen in place names and literary contexts; often written as ヶ in such names.

関ヶ原せきがはらの「ヶ」は古ふるい所しょ有ゆうの助じょ詞し「が」に由ゆ来らいする。
The ヶ in Sekigahara derives from the old possessive particle が.

conjunction, particle

but; however; although

Conjunctive use meaning 'but' or 'although'. Often used to connect contrasting clauses, similar to けれども or が.

彼かれは若わかいが、しっかりしている。
He is young, but he is reliable.
努ど力りょくしたが、失しっ敗ぱいした。
I tried hard, but I failed.

particle

and (listing)

Used to connect clauses or items in a list, often with a nuance of 'and' or 'and also'. Common in formal or written Japanese.

彼かれは医い者しゃであるが、作さっ家かでもある。
He is a doctor and also a writer.

particle

introductory remark marker

Used after an introductory remark or explanation to lead into the main point. Often translates as 'and', 'so', or is left untranslated.

すみませんが、駅えきはどこですか。
Excuse me, but where is the station?

particle

regardless of; whether ... or not

Follows the volitional or -まい form of a verb to mean 'regardless of whether...' or 'no matter...'.

行いこうが行いくまいが、結けっ果かは同おなじだ。
Whether you go or not, the result will be the same.

particle

desire/hope marker

Expresses a wish or hope, often in set phrases like ～たいものだ or ～ばいいのだが.

早はやく春はるが来くるといいのだが。
I hope spring comes soon.

particle

sentence-softener; doubt marker

At the end of a sentence, softens a statement or indicates doubt, often leaving the thought incomplete. Can make a request or assertion less direct.

ちょっとお願ねがいがあるのですが。
I have a small favor to ask (softening).
少すこし気きになるのですが。
There is something that worries me a little.

particle

scorn marker (interjection)

Attached to a noun at the end of an interjection to express scorn or contempt. Rare and emphatic.

この馬ば鹿か者ものが！
You fool! (scornful)

See all 220,050 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

〈物もの〉が〈形けい容よう詞し〉the subject (marked by が) has a certain quality
このケーキが美味おいしい。
This cake is delicious.
〈事こと〉が、〈事こと〉connects two contrasting clauses, meaning 'but'
行いきたいが、時じ間かんがない。
I want to go, but I don't have time.
〜まいがregardless of whether one does or not
行いこうが行いくまいが、自じ由ゆうだ。
Whether you go or not is up to you.
〜のだがexpresses a wish or hope, left trailing for softness
もう少すこし時じ間かんがあればいいのだが。
I wish I had a bit more time.

Grammar

See all 5 grammar points ›

Related words· 6

けれどN4sense 3
が and けれども both mean 'but', but けれども is more common in speech while が is used in both speech and writing and can sound slightly more formal.
の sense 2
が once marked possession the way の does today; this archaic use of が survives mainly in place names and literary language.
しかしN4sense 3
しかし is a sentence-initial conjunction meaning 'however', whereas が attaches directly to the end of the first clause to link two contrasting ideas.
けどN5
が is the formal, written-register conjunction for 'but', while けど is its casual, spoken-language counterpart.

Show 2 more

のに
が is a neutral conjunction simply meaning 'but', whereas のに specifically implies the result is unexpectedly contrary to what the preceding clause would lead one to expect.
ものの
が is the simplest, most general word for 'but', while ものの specifically frames the first clause as a concession.

Don't confuse with

は sense 1
は marks the topic of a sentence while が marks the grammatical subject, so learners often mix up which one to use in a given sentence.
を
が marks the subject or the object of potential/desire predicates, while を marks the direct object of transitive verbs, a path, or a departure point—learners often mix them up with 好き/欲しい and with motion verbs.

Written forms

がUsage100%
Standard hiragana spelling for the particle.
ガUsage0%
ヶUsage0%
- ヶ
  search-only kana form
- が
  Search-only form; used in place names for the archaic possessive sense.
ケ
Search-only katakana form; sometimes seen in place names for the archaic possessive sense.

Etymology

The particle が has been used since Old Japanese. Its possessive function is ancient and survives in place names. The conjunctive and sentence-final uses developed later. The exact derivation is uncertain, but it is a core native Japanese particle.