The ga particle

[Jake_Lucas]

The ga particle has to be the one particle so far that confuses me the most from time to time, just when i think i've figured it out i think again and wonder if i'm right.
I have read about it and tried to understand it but would just like to check if my understanding is correct.

I apologise in advance for the Romaji

The few uses i know of so far are the following:

-It is used when introducing a new subject (Or rather a subject that is unknown)
-I think it is used with question words like, Dore, Nani etc. because they can't be followed by wa.
-It can be used in Subordinate clauses
Is this why stating what you like uses the ga particle?
Since a full sentence would be "Watashi wa konpuutaa ga suki desu" however if i was already the subject "Watashi wa" would be omitted so i would just say "Konpuutaa ga suki desu" Since the computer is the subordinate clause it's followed by ga, Correct?

I think i am correct in thinking these are a few uses for ga, but i just wanted to be sure since i'm still starting out

[Joey]

-It is used when introducing a new subject (Or rather a subject that is unknown)
-I think it is used with question words like, Dore, Nani etc. because they can't be followed by wa.
-It can be used in Subordinate clauses
Is this why stating what you like uses the ga particle?
Since a full sentence would be "Watashi wa konpuutaa ga suki desu" however if i was already the subject "Watashi wa" would be omitted so i would just say "Konpuutaa ga suki desu" Since the computer is the subordinate clause it's followed by ga, Correct?

I think i am correct in thinking these are a few uses for ga, but i just wanted to be sure since i'm still starting out

although when translating your likes/dislikes you use suki/kirai, you are actually saying something a little different in Japanese.
Your sentence, "watashi wa konpyuutaa ga suki desu" actually means something like "As for me, computers are liked" so ga is used because 'computers' is the subject of the sentence

[hatch_jp]

Plz refer to the following site.
http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa051301a.htm

wa is for
　* Topic marker
　* Contrast

ga is for
　* Subject marker
　* With question words
　* Emphasize
　* Instead of "o"
　* In subordinate clauses

[Fedgrub]

-It is used when introducing a new subject (Or rather a subject that is unknown)
-I think it is used with question words like, Dore, Nani etc. because they can't be followed by wa.
-It can be used in Subordinate clauses
Is this why stating what you like uses the ga particle?
Since a full sentence would be "Watashi wa konpuutaa ga suki desu" however if i was already the subject "Watashi wa" would be omitted so i would just say "Konpuutaa ga suki desu" Since the computer is the subordinate clause it's followed by ga, Correct?

I think i am correct in thinking these are a few uses for ga, but i just wanted to be sure since i'm still starting out

although when translating your likes/dislikes you use suki/kirai, you are actually saying something a little different in Japanese.
Your sentence, "watashi wa konpyuutaa ga suki desu" actually means something like "As for me, computers are liked" so ga is used because 'computers' is the subject of the sentence

I totally agree. If you are trying to say "I like the computer", putting "ga" at the end of the noun makes that the focus on the sentance, whereas it seems like the sentance you are trying to write is more about YOU being the subject, because its what YOU like. Hopefully that makes sense.

[Jake_Lucas]

Thankyou all for your replies, it's making more sense to me now, although i still don't quite understand why i hear likes and dislikes using ga. xD

[markystar]

also used for things you want to do...

ラーメンが食べたい
i want to eat ramen

and things you can do...

日本語が話せる
i can speak japanese

[Shaydwyrm]

although when translating your likes/dislikes you use suki/kirai, you are actually saying something a little different in Japanese.
Your sentence, "watashi wa konpyuutaa ga suki desu" actually means something like "As for me, computers are liked" so ga is used because 'computers' is the subject of the sentence

This isn't really accurate. The sentence "watashi ga konpyuutaa ga suki desu" is also correct, and still means "I like computers", though the emphasis on "I" is a little bit different. As hatch_jp mentioned in his list, it's reasonable to say that in certain cases (sentences that use adjective + desu, potential form verbs, verbs like wakaru, etc) the direct object is marked with "ga" in Japanese.