Originally Posted by
joejones
"Ga" always denotes the subject, while "wa" denotes the topic which may be the subject, object, or something else entirely. That's how you can have sentences like "Suzuki-san wa nani ga ii desu ka?" (What would you like, Suzuki-san) or "Tokyo wa hito ga ooi" (in Tokyo there are many people). Or when ordering drinks you can say "watashi wa biiru desu," which means something like "a beer for me," not "I am beer."
In all of your examples, 'wa' is designating the subject of the sentences - Suzuki-san, Tokyo and watashi. In two of them, 'ga' is referring to the object - nani and hito. The object of a sentence is the part that the verb "operates" on. Ex. Watashi wa nihongo ga wakarimasen. Watashi = subject, nihongo = object because the verb refers to it, not to the subject.
Sheesh! Why am I arguing something so trivial. Long retired and I still slip into teacher-mode unexpectedly.
No mas!