JLPT N5 grammar

〜がmeaning and usage

Meaning

Marks the subject of a sentence, or connects clauses with a contrast meaning “but” or “however.” After a noun referring to someone, it can express anger or contempt toward that person, as in この野郎が.

How to form it

  • nounが
  • plain form/polite form (です/ます)がsentence

How it is used

As a subject marker, 「が」 introduces new information or a question-word subject, while 「は」 marks a known topic. Between clauses it means “but”, more formal than 「けど」, and often just leads in: 「すみませんが」.

Examples

  1. 今は晴れているが、 明日は雨だろう。

    It's sunny now, but it will probably rain tomorrow.

  2. だれが窓を開けましたか。

    Who opened the window?

  3. この店は高いですが、とてもおいしいです。

    This restaurant is expensive, but the food is very good.

About the example Here, が connects the sunny weather now with the prediction of rain tomorrow and expresses a contrast.