Particles (助詞)
A small particle can change the meaning of a whole sentence. Learn what each one marks and listen to it in context.
Who & what · だれ・なに
話題・主語・目的語
Start with what you are talking about, who does the action and what receives it.
Sets what the sentence is about. Written は, pronounced wa.
わたしは がくせいです。
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
I am a student.
Marks the subject, especially new information or who/what does something.
ねこが います。
Neko ga imasu.
There is a cat.
Marks the direct object of an action. Written を, usually pronounced o.
みずを のみます。
Mizu o nomimasu.
I drink water.
Where & when · どこ・いつ
場所・方向・時間
Separate the destination from the place where an action happens.
Marks a destination, a specific time or the location of existence.
がっこうに いきます。
Gakkou ni ikimasu.
I go to school.
Where an action happens, or the method used.
でんしゃで いきます。
Densha de ikimasu.
I go by train.
Points toward a destination. Written へ, pronounced e.
にほんへ いきます。
Nihon e ikimasu.
I am going to Japan.
Connecting ideas · つなぐ
所有・仲間・追加
Connect people and things, add a companion, or say “also.”
Links nouns; often equivalent to “of” or an apostrophe-s.
せんせいの ほんです。
Sensei no hon desu.
It is the teacher’s book.
Joins nouns or indicates a companion.
ともだちと はなします。
Tomodachi to hanashimasu.
I speak with a friend.
Adds “also” or “too”; often replaces は or が.
わたしも いきます。
Watashi mo ikimasu.
I am going too.
Beginnings & questions · はじまり・質問
始点・終点・疑問
Mark where something begins, where it ends, or ask a question.
Indicates a starting point or a reason.
きょうから はじめます。
Kyou kara hajimemasu.
I start today.
Indicates an endpoint in time or space.
ごじまで べんきょうします。
Goji made benkyou shimasu.
I study until five.
Turns a polite sentence into a question.
げんきですか。
Genki desu ka?
How are you?