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Activities: How to form a description in Japanese using both は (wa) and が (ga)?

By: Kumiko Saeto
Associated Articles

These activities are part of our Japanese Grammar series. The skills we are practicing here are covered in our article:

Activity 1: Pet Detective

You’ve recently started a detective agency in your neighborhood to help the people in your town! The following are some cases that have been brought to your attention, can you help solve them and make the neighborhood a better place?

Case 1: The Missing Pup

Timothy's dog is missing! Help Timothy find his dog out of all the animals that roam his neighborhood. He’s provided us with a description of what his dog, Cheese, looks like. Can we find him out of all the other similar animals?

A

A Shiba Inu with short fur, a long tail, and pointed ears.

B

A Golden Retriever with short fur, round ears, and a long tail.

C

A Maltese dog with long fur, round ears, and a short tail.

D

A Pug with short fur, round ears, and a short tail.

E

A Norfolk Terrier with long fur, round ears, and a short tail.

F

A German Shepherd with pointed ears, long hair, and a long tail.

Translate Timothy's descriptions of Cheese to help you identify him.

  • チーズは毛が短いです。

    Chiizu wa ke ga mijikai desu.

  • チーズは足が４本あります。

    Chiizu wa ashi ga yon hon arimasu.

  • チーズはしっぽが長いです。

    Chiizu wa shippo ga nagai desu.

  • チーズは耳がとがっています。

    Chiizu wa mimi ga togatte imasu.

  • Which dog is Cheese? (provide the letter)

    If you guessed A, you successfully found Timothy's dog, Cheese! You find him roaming around in the park playing with some other dogs. Timothy's relieved to find Cheese and thanks you profusely. First case closed!

Case 2: Who’s That Animal?

You have another client! Timothy is grateful for your help the other day and refers his friend to your detective agency. ともこ(Tomoko) claims that she saw a strange, bizarre animal the other day and wants you to help find it. She’s given us a description of the animal she saw, what is the true identity of the animal that Tomoko saw?

A

An elephant. It has no fur, no pattern, and a short neck.

B

A tiger. It has medium-length legs and neck, and a pattern.

C

A rhinoceros. It has no fur, no pattern, and a short neck.

D

A zebra. It has short fur and a pattern.

E

A giraffe. It has a pattern, long legs, a long neck, and short fur.

F

A lion. It has both short and long fur, and no pattern.

Translate Tomoko's descriptions of the strange animal she saw.

  • その動物は毛が短かったです。

    Sono dōbutsu wa ke ga mijikakatta desu.

  • その動物は足が長かったです。

    Sono dōbutsu wa ashi ga nagakatta desu.

  • その動物は模様がついてました。

    Sono dōbutsu wa moyō ga tsuite imashita.

  • その動物は首が長かったです。

    Sono dōbutsu wa kubi ga nagakatta desu.

  • Which animal did Tomoko see?

    If you guessed E, you were right! After putting together the description that Tomoko provided you, you realize she was referring to a キリン[kirin](giraffe). You show her pictures of them and she begins to show fascination in giraffes. Now she wants to become a zoo keeper. Case closed!

Case 3: Alien Invasion or a Friendly Encounter?

Now even extraterrestrial beings have begun to show interest in your detective agency! Cupcake, as the alien calls itself, needs your help with finding a dangerous alien who arrived at Earth before them. That mysterious alien stole a weapon that could destroy the Earth in one push of a button! Cupcake needs your help in identifying the dangerous alien using what they remember about the other’s appearance. Can you find that alien before something bad happens?

A

A cute, light blue alien worm with two eyes and stalks on its head.

B

A cute gray alien with two legs, two arms, three eyes, and stalks on its head.

C

A cute red alien with two arms, two legs, two eyes, and stalks on its head.

D

A cute, dark blue alien with eight eyes, claws for arms, four legs, and stalks on its head.

E

A cute, blue alien with four eyes on stalks, two arms, and two legs.

F

A yellow alien with two eyes, two legs, two arms, a bumpy head, and a stalk from the middle of its head.

Translate Cupcake's descriptions of this dangerous alien.

  • その宇宙人は肌の色が青いです。

    Sono uchūjin wa hada no iro ga aoi desu.

  • その宇宙人は腕が二本あります。

    Sono uchūjin wa ude ga ni hon arimasu.

  • その宇宙人は目が沢山あります。

    Sono uchūjin wa me ga takusan arimasu.

  • その宇宙人は足が四本あります。

    Sono uchūjin wa ashi ga yon hon arimasu.

  • Which alien is Cupcake looking for?

    If you guessed D, you succeeded in identifying the suspect and saved the Earth! Using Cupcake’s descriptions you found the dangerous alien and apprehended them before they could proceed with their nefarious plan. Cupcake returns back to their planet with the other in tow, and it seems for now that alien’s won’t be roaming Earth anytime soon. Another case closed!

Activity 2: Travelogue

Frank has traveled to many countries around the world and when he comes back he tells you all about his experiences. He wants to convey the best parts about each country he’s visited to his friend, ひろと(Hiroto). However he’s having trouble translating his thoughts into Japanese. He remembers the words but he can’t remember how to form a sentence with them. Can you help him tell Hiroto about the places he’s been to using the A は[wa] B が[ga] format?

In Belgium, ornate guild houses face a busy walking trail along a river.

  • ベルギー (Belgium)
    おいしい (delicious)
    チョコ (chocolate)

    は が 。

  • English Translation:

An aerial shot shows the Great Wall of China snaking through green forests. The wall is made of brick and has two square turrets in frame.

  • 建物 (buildings)
    中国 (China)
    大きい (big)

    は が 。

  • English Translation:

An aerial shot of the clear turquoise waters off the coast of Okinawa. There are some large buildings, but most of the landscape is green and healthy.

  • きれい (pretty)
    沖縄 (Okinawa)
    海 (umi)

    は が 。

  • English Translation:

In Switzerland, tall snow-capped mountains stand behind green hills. Hikers walk along a blue lake. There is a rough-hewn wooden bench in the foreground.

  • 高い (expensive)
    食べ物 (food)
    スイス (Switzerland)

    は が 。

  • English Translation:

An aerial shot of forested mountains in Vietnam. A river runs around grassy green steppes.

  • ベトナム (Vietnam)
    森 (forest)
    多い (many, a lot of)

    は が 。

  • English Translation:

Activity 3: Describe Yourself!

Tell us about yourself! Now that you’ve mastered how to use the A は[wa] B が[ga] format, describe yourself by filling in the blanks below about certain aspects about yourself. Copy what ひろと(Hiroto) is doing and follow his format!

A cartoon of a man with short, dark curly hair in a tie and blazer.

ひろと(Hiroto)

  • 僕は髪が短いです。

    Boku wa kami ga mijikai desu.

    My hair is short.

  • 僕は泳ぐのが得意です。

    Boku wa oyogu no ga tokui desu.

    I’m good at swimming.

  • 僕の家は部屋が多いです。

    Boku no uchi wa heya ga ōi desu.

    My house has many rooms.

  • 僕の家は窓が大きいです。

    Boku no uchi wa mado ga ōkii desu

    My house has big windows.

Describe Your Appearance!

  • はがです。

  • はがです。

  • はがです。

Describe What You’re Good (or Bad) At!

  • はがです。

  • はがです。

  • はがです。

Describe Your House!

  • はがです。

  • はがです。

  • はがです。

Congratulations on finishing the exercise and doing your introductions! The A は[wa] B が[ga] format is useful in a multitude of scenarios, and can be especially useful in introductions. Whether those introductions involve introducing yourself to a new group of people, or introducing your friends to someone you know, it can be very handy! Next time you can use A は[wa] B が[ga] to easily do self-introduction in Japanese!

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