If that's correct, then why do I hear people asking/answering:

"ballu wa doko ni ga arimasu ka?"
"ballu wa isu no shita ni arimasu."


I don't get the difference. Does it matter which you use?

both quotes are grammatically incorrect.
in those sentenses "ga" would never be used with and next to "doko" or "shita".

(noun) + "ga" usually makes subject.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_particles#ga

while (noun) + "ni" usually makes object (or direction) which some action is done to.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_particles#ni

"ni" originally means spatial/temporal location or realm where some action exists or takes place.

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8A%A9%E8%A9%9E

that ga is extra in that question


"ballu wa doko ni ga arimasu ka?"
"ballu wa isu no shita ni arimasu."


"ballu wa doko ni arimasu ka?"
"ballu wa isu no shita ni arimasu."


ni is present tence, ga is past tence.(in your situation/scenario)


variable questions; "baal wa doko da?" "baal wa koko da"

where is the ball, the ball is here.

"baal ga nai" there is no ball
"baal oh kure" give me the ball
"baal ni damasareta" the ball tricked me

w0w this is really nice I want to learn how you speak guys ..

..sigh..

hehe, i m learning japanese as well, quite basic level atm

This post was edited by ASDA on Feb 29 2008 09:17am