JLPT N5 grammar comparison
が (subject) vs を (direct object)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
The difference
From the が (subject) lesson
を (direct object): を marks what an action is done to (パンを食べる). 好き, 分かる and ほしい are not actions, so they take が.
From the を (direct object) lesson
が (subject): Likes, abilities and wants (好き・できる・ほしい) take が, not を, because they are not actions.
Side by side
が (subject)
ga (subject) · JLPT N5
- Meaning
- Marks the grammatical subject; identifies "which one"; used with question words, existence, likes/abilities, and descriptions.
- Formation
Question word + が (誰が、何が)Noun + が + あります／いますNoun + が + 好き／嫌い／上手／下手／分かる／できる／ほしい
誰が来ましたか。
だれが きましたか。
Who came?
猫がいます。
ねこが います。
There is a cat.
を (direct object)
o (object) · JLPT N5
- Meaning
- Marks the direct object of a transitive verb; also the place passed through / left.
- Formation
Noun + を + action verb (本を読む)Place + を + 出る／出発する (家を出る)Place + を + 歩く／散歩する／渡る (道を渡る)
パンを食べます。
パンを たべます。
I eat bread.
公園を散歩します。
こうえんを さんぽします。
I walk through the park.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between が (subject) and を (direct object)?
を marks what an action is done to (パンを食べる). 好き, 分かる and ほしい are not actions, so they take が.
When do you use を (direct object) instead of が (subject)?
Likes, abilities and wants (好き・できる・ほしい) take が, not を, because they are not actions.