Introduction
One of the hardest questions for Japanese learners is the difference between は (wa) and が (ga).
Many textbooks explain simple rules, but learners often feel that those rules stop working as they advance.
This page is a complete, level-by-level guide to how は and が actually work—from beginner grammar to advanced, context-based usage.
Instead of one fixed rule, Japanese uses は and が differently depending on learning stage, context, and speaker intent.
This guide shows how that understanding develops from N5 to N1+, with links to detailed explanations at each level.
How the Roles of は and が Change by Level
This table shows how the core function of は and が expands as learners progress.
| Level | Learning Stage | Role of は (wa) | Role of が (ga) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beginner (N5 early) | Describe things. Sentence topic “talking about ~” 私は学生です。 | Existence / events“exist / happen” 雨が降ります。 |
| 2 | Beginner (N5 late–N4) | What is visible / already shared 私は野田です。 | Choosing / identifying 私が野田です。 |
| 3 | Intermediate (N3) | Known information topic continuation 犬は庭にいます。 | New information first mention 犬が庭にいます。 |
| 4 | Intermediate (N2) | Contrast / generalization コーヒーは飲みます。 | Limitation / emphasis 私が行きます。 |
| 5 | Advanced (N1) | Contextual topic 日本語は難しいが、面白い。 | Information focus 日本語が難しい。 |
| 6 | Advanced (N1+) | Stylistic choice / stance marking 私がやりたい。 | Intentional emphasis 私はやりたい。 |
Level 1: Beginner (N5 early)
は and が as basic sentence markers
At the beginner level, は and が are introduced as basic sentence markers.
- は is used to talk about what the sentence is about.
- が often appears with existence or events that happen.
At this stage, learners focus on recognizing simple patterns rather than nuance.
👉 Read the full Level 1 explanation here:
Japanese は and が for Beginners. Just Make Simple Sentences First
Level 2: Beginner (N5 late–N4)
Shared information vs identification
At this stage, learners begin to notice perspective.
- は often refers to information that is already visible or shared.
- が is used to choose or identify something specific.
This is where attention and viewpoint start to matter.
👉 Read the full Level 2 explanation here:
What Is the Difference Between は and が? Japanese は and が for Beginners
Level 3: Intermediate (N3)
Known information vs new information
At the intermediate level, は and が start functioning across sentences.
- は maintains a known topic.
- が introduces new information for the first time.
This level marks the shift from sentence grammar to discourse grammar.
👉 Read the full Level 3 explanation here:
What Is the Difference Between は and が? New and Known Information in Japanese
Level 4: Intermediate (N2)
Contrast and limitation
At this level, learners see how meaning changes depending on particle choice.
- は creates contrast or generalization.
- が limits or emphasizes a specific element.
The difference is no longer about correctness, but about meaning control.
👉 Read the full Level 4 explanation here:
What Is the Difference Between は and が? Contrast and Emphasis in Japanese
Level 5: Advanced (N1)
Contextual topic vs information focus
At the advanced level, は and が operate within broader context.
- は sets the contextual frame.
- が highlights what the speaker wants the listener to focus on.
This explains why direct translation often fails at higher levels.
👉 Read the full Level 5 explanation here:
What Is the Difference Between は and が? Context and Focus in Japanese
Level 6: Advanced (N1+)
Stylistic choice and speaker stance
At the highest level, は and が become tools for expressing stance and intention.
The choice reflects how the speaker positions themselves, not just what they describe.
👉 Read the full Level 6 explanation here:
What Is the Difference Between は and が? Understandable, Attitude, and Style in Japanese
Why There Is No Single Rule for は and が
Many learners search for one clear rule that explains は and が.
However, Japanese does not treat them as fixed grammatical labels.
Their roles expand as the learner’s understanding of context, information flow, and speaker intent grows.
This is why explanations that work at N5 often feel incomplete at higher levels—and why this series is structured by level, not by rule.
Common Questions About は and が
Is は always the topic marker?
Not always. At higher levels, は often marks context or stance rather than a simple topic.
Why does が sometimes feel stronger than は?
Because が often marks focus or limitation, drawing attention to one specific element.
Why do advanced speakers use は and が differently?
Because they are choosing how to frame information, not just describing facts.
Summary
The difference between は and が is not a single rule, but a progression.
From basic sentence patterns to advanced stylistic choices, their roles evolve with context and intent.
What feels confusing is often a sign that you are moving to the next level of understanding.
If you want to work through these differences with real examples, questions, and feedback tailored to your level,
I also offer one-on-one Japanese online lessons that focus on how Japanese is actually used, not just textbook rules.
You can find more details about my lessons on this site.
The difference between は and が is not a single rule, but a progression.
From basic sentence patterns to advanced stylistic choices, their roles evolve with context and intent.
Use this page as a map, and explore each level to understand how Japanese really works.
