The Difference Between を and が in Japanese Sentences: Explained by Haru

Title: Understanding the Difference Between を and が in Japanese Sentences

Introduction: In this video, Haru, a Japanese language teacher in Taiwan, explores the common question of when to use を and が in Japanese sentences. Whether you're a beginner or more advanced in your Japanese language learning, understanding the nuances between these two particles can greatly improve your ability to communicate naturally.

Section 1: The Basics of を and が
If you're just starting out in Japanese and have learned the sentence structure "I want to do something," don't worry too much about this issue for now. Both を and が can be used interchangeably in this case. However, as you progress to intermediate or advanced levels, you may start to notice that native Japanese speakers use them differently without even realizing it.

Section 2: The Case for を
Some Japanese people argue that using を with the verb "to eat" instead of が is correct because "eat" is a verb. However, in the phrase "I want to eat," the verb is modified by the auxiliary verb たい (tai), which expresses desire. This conjugation is similar to adjectives like ほしい (hoshii), which also express desire. Grammatically, it is perfectly acceptable to use を with が in this case.

Section 3: When to Use が
In some cases, the use of が or を greatly depends on the emphasis placed on the object before the particle. For example, when saying "I want to eat fish, not meat," the emphasis is on the object "fish." Many people would say "魚を食べたい" (sakana wo tabetai) in this case, using を. However, in most situations, the word preceding が becomes the focus of the sentence. Therefore, when discussing a specific piece of music like a Beethoven composition, using が would be more appropriate to emphasize the object.

Section 4: Not Just Objects
It's important to note that を and が are not only used for objects but also for points of focus. For example, when saying "I want to make them happy," を is used because the focus is on the action of making someone happy. On the other hand, when saying "I want to make my classmates go to the United States," が is used because "classmates" is not an object but a person. Similarly, when expressing a desire to continue doing something like studying business more seriously, を is used because it emphasizes the action itself.

Section 5: Exceptions and Nuances
In some cases, either を or が can be used interchangeably, such as when expressing a general desire to listen to any music. However, there are also specific situations where one particle is preferred. For instance, when expressing a wish to fly in the sky, using を is more natural. Additionally, when discussing future plans like graduating from an American university, を is the preferred particle.

Conclusion: Understanding the difference between を and が is essential for achieving natural and accurate Japanese language use. While both particles can be used in certain contexts, recognizing the appropriate usage for different situations can greatly improve your communication skills. Remember to pay attention to the emphasis placed on the objects or actions in the sentence and use を and が accordingly. Stay tuned for more language tips and tricks from Haru's Japanese Cafe!

Note: This article is not intended as an exhaustive explanation of the topic but rather serves as an introduction and summary of Haru's video. To fully grasp the nuances and usage of を and が in Japanese sentences, it is recommended to watch the video for a more detailed understanding.