During the past month I've been addicted to Japanese. I've listened to about 10 online tutorial video courses and read about as much printed lessons. I am determined to learn Japanese, but I am really a newbie so my question may be very basic, but please bear with me.
If I understand correctly, both -ga and -o particles designate a direct object. For example, I've heard:
Watashi wa ongaku-ga suki desu. = I like music
Watashi wa ongaku-o kiku (or kikimasu, I'm not sure) = I am listening to music
So why is it ga in one case and o in the other? Is it specific to the verb or the object or what?
P.S. I don't know hiragana yet, so I'd appreciate if you could keep your examples, if any, in romaji.
Answer
It depends not only on the verb, but on the form of the verb.
The general rule is that static verbs and adjectives take "ga" and "action verbs" take "o" on the direct object.
piano-o hiku
play the pianopiano-ga hikeru
can play the piano
Here, playing the piano is an action, thus "o" is used. Being able to play the piano is a state, thus "ga" is used.
ringo-ga hoshii
want an appleringo-o hoshigaru
act like you want an apple
Again, to want an apple is a state, so use "ga", to act like you want it is an action, so use "o".
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