は〜が… は
🃏 Flashcard
は〜が… は
wa~ga... wa
Tap to reveal usage
[A] but [B]; however; comparison
N4
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N4
Upper-Beginner · Forming complex sentences
Reading
wa~ga... wa
Post ID
50800
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
[A] but [B]; however; comparison
📖 How to use it
Uses は twice to contrast two topics, meaning 'A but B' or 'on the other hand.'
Attaches to
This is a sentence-level pattern: one topic is marked with は, then the contrasting topic is marked with が, and the second は appears later in the sentence to introduce the contrasting comment. The pattern is not a verb conjugation; it simply uses the particle は and が in the contrasting positions.
This pattern contrasts two different things. You first state one topic using は, then you bring up another topic with が and comment on it with another は clause. The effect is like saying 'As for X... but as for Y...' or 'X does this, however Y does that.' It's a natural way to compare or show a difference between two items.
兄は高校生ですが、私は中学生です。
Ani wa kōkōsei desu ga, watashi wa chūgakusei desu.
My brother is a high school student, but I'm a junior high student.
姉は料理が上手ですが、私は全然できません。
Ane wa ryōri ga jōzu desu ga, watashi wa zenzen dekimasen.
My older sister is good at cooking, but I can't cook at all.
昨日は雨でしたが、今日は晴れています。
Kinō wa ame deshita ga, kyō wa hareyte imasu.
Yesterday it was rainy, but today it is sunny.
Not は〜が…は vs. 〜は〜が (as in 象は鼻が長い)
In 象は鼻が長い, は marks the overall topic (elephant) and が marks the subject of the predicate (nose). In は〜が…は, the second は introduces a new topic to contrast with the first. The pattern always has two は particles, each introducing a different contrastive topic.
Register
This is a neutral, common sentence pattern used in both speaking and writing, suitable for everyday conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
は〜が… は
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat は〜が… は three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using は〜が… は. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N4 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern は〜が… は mean?
▼
[A] but [B]; however; comparison
What JLPT level is は〜が… は?
▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N4 — Upper-Beginner · Forming complex sentences. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use は〜が… は in a sentence?
▼
Attach は〜が… は (wa~ga... wa) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is は〜が… は formal or casual Japanese?
▼
は〜が… は is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.
How can I remember は〜が… は long-term?
▼
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.