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I'm afraid this question might be basic knowledge, but for the life of me, I
cannot figure it out: So most of us know the phrase **'nihongo ga
wakarimasen'** (meaning: I don't understand japanese) but recently I came
across the phrase **'nihongo wo hanashimasen'** (meaning: I don't speak
japanese)

I am aware that these two phrases are usually said with the particles being
omitted, but I'm curious about the usage of the particles (ga and wo).

  * why is it that one uses ga and the other wo when the object of the sentance(nihongo) is the same? As well as the fact that wakarimasen and hanashimasen are both verbs directed toward the object. 

I see no difference in the structure of the two phrases yet the particles are
different. If anyone can provide an answer, I would appreciate it.
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grammar particles syntax set-phrases
'nihongo ga wakarimasen' vs 'nihongo wo hanashimasen' ga and wo usage?
I think the accepted answer by **dainichi** to [this
question](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/12795/whats-the-
difference-between-ga-and-o-when-they-are-used-to-designate-a-direc) answers
it pretty well:

> 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 piano
>>

>> piano-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 apple
>>

>> ringo-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".

Understanding Japanese is a state -- it's not an action, whereas to speak it
_is_ an action.

For example _being able to speak_ it rather than _speaking_ it, which is
話せる{はなせる} [はなせる{ha na se ru}], would again be a state, and would use が{ga}
just like 分かる{わかる} [わかる{wa ka ru}]:

> にほんご{ni ho n go} が{ga} はなせません{ha na se ma se n}。  
>  I can't speak Japanese.

As dainichi said, the general rule is that state verbs/adjectives use が{ga}
while actions take を{wo}.
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answer
I know this is an old question but for the one interested this is a matter of
transitive vs intrasitive verbs. The [Youtube video of Japanese
Ammo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhUCbXJTJOg&t) explained this very well.

If you want to see if a given verb is transitive or intrasitive you can look
for it at the [Jisho online dictionary](https://jisho.org).
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