16 Most Common Japanese Particles | An Essential Guide for 2023

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What exactly is the Japanese particle? A quick search may tell you that particles are postpositions with no conjugations and come after other words to reflect defined grammatical relationships. Well, don’t be perplexed by this sequence of terms! Actually, learning Japanese particles can be pretty simple! This article aims to help you grasp Japanese particles in an easy-to-understand way. Bookmark it first if you want to learn later!

japanese particles

What are particles in Japanese?

First, let’s clarify the fundamental logic of the particle. A particle is just like a nametag that indicates the grammar component of one or more words in a sentence. For example, You can compare a sentence to a kingdom, where the subject is the King, and ใŒ is the crown thatโ€™s always placed atop his head. Similarly, each grammar component has its own symbol to indicate its role.

Since each particle suggests a different “identity,” variations in particles can completely change a sentence’s meaning. Here is an interesting example for you to get a sense of what I mean ๐Ÿ‘‡ย 

็งใ‚ใŸใ—ใŒใ€€็ช“ใพใฉใ‚’ใ€€ๅ‰ฒใ‚ใฃใŸใ€‚

(watashiga madowo watta)

I broke the glass.

ย 

็งใ‚ใŸใ—ใ‚’ใ€€็ช“ใพใฉใŒใ€€ๅ‰ฒใ‚ใฃใŸใ€‚

(watashiwo madoga watta)

The glass broke me.

In this article, I’ll introduce you to the primary uses of the 16 most common Japanese particles. If you can master the following content as a beginner, then that means you’re off to a great start with Japanese grammar! By the way, to follow along with this article, itโ€™d be best to have a basic understanding of Japanese sentences.

 

ใฏ (ha)

ใฏ is the first particle that many Japanese learners encounter. Despite seeing it from the start, they never really comprehend its meaning. First of all, there is no preposition or other counterpart that corresponds to it in English. Secondly, as one of the fundamental particles in Japanese, the usage of ใฏ is impossible to summarize in a single sentence. But no worries, I’m only going to show you its two most crucial uses. If you master them well, you will be able to handle most applications.

Cue the topic, limiting the follow-up content

ใฏ serves to qualify the subject of a sentence. Many beginners mistake ใฏ for the particle that indicates the subject when that is actually ใŒ. Although there is no literal translation of ใฏ in English, we can tentatively think of it as “As for” to make it easier to understand. However, it’s significant to note that ใฏ appears much more frequently than “As for” in English and is more widely used.

ใ‚ธใ‚งใƒชโ€•ใฏใ€€ๆ—ฅๆœฌ่ชžใซใปใ‚“ใ”ใฎๅ…ˆ็”Ÿใ›ใ‚“ใ›ใ„ใงใ™ใ€‚

(jeriha nihongo no sensei desu)

As for Jerry, (he) is a Japanese language teacher.

ๅฎŸใ˜ใคใฏใ€็งใ‚ใŸใ—ใ‚‚ใ€€็Ÿฅใ—ใ‚Šใพใ›ใ‚“ใ€‚

(jitsuha, watashimo shirimasen)

To be honest, I donโ€™t know either.

Emphasis on contrast

As mentioned above, ใฏ serves to qualify the topic, not suggest the subject as many tend to think. Although it is used with the subject most of the time, it can also function with other sentence components (e.g., object, gerund, etc.) to create contrast in some cases.

ใƒ†ใƒ‹ใ‚นใฏใ€€ๅฅฝใ™ใใงใฏใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ›ใ‚“ใ€‚

(tenisuha suki dehaarimasen)

As for tennis, (I) donโ€™t like (it).

This sentence would normally beย  “ใƒ†ใƒ‹ใ‚นใŒๅฅฝใใงใฏใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ›ใ‚“” but replacing ใŒ with ใฏ implies a contrast ใƒผ I don’t really like tennis (but I like basketball or something else).

ใƒฉใƒ“ใƒƒใƒˆใฏใ€€้‡Ž่œใ‚„ใ•ใ„ใฏใ€€้ฃŸใŸในใพใ™ใ€‚้ญšใ•ใ‹ใชใฏใ€€้ฃŸใŸในใพใ›ใ‚“ใ€‚

(rabittoha yasaiha tabemasu. sakanaha tabemasen)

As for the rabbit, (they) eat vegetables, but (they) donโ€™t eat fish.

ย Similarly, this sentence would have initially been

ใƒฉใƒ“ใƒƒใƒˆใฏใ€€้‡Ž่œใ‚„ใ•ใ„ใ‚’ใ€€้ฃŸใŸในใพใ™ใ€‚้ญšใ•ใ‹ใชใ‚’ใ€€้ฃŸใŸในใพใ›ใ‚“ใ€‚

(rabittoha yasaiwo tabemasu. sakanawo tabemasen)

As for the rabbit, (they) eat vegetables, but (they) donโ€™t eat fish.

The particle ใฏ replaces ใ‚’ as the object, contrasting the vegetables with the fish.

ใŒ (ga)

As stated previously, ใŒ is used to suggest the subject, just like the king’s crown indicating whoever is the king (subject). Japanese learners always mix up ใŒ and ใฏ. Indeed, theyย  both have overlapping uses and distinctly separate uses, which can be hard to differentiate.

It could be said that a serious comparison between ใŒ and ใฏ would be enough for a Japanese language researcher to complete a master’s thesis. Again, I will only introduce two of the most common uses of ใŒ.

Cue the subject

Although ใฏ often replaces this function of ใŒ as a subject, in many cases, ใŒ has an irreplaceable role.

่ฑกใžใ†ใฏใ€€้ผปใฏใชใŒใ€€้•ทใชใŒใ„ใงใ™ใ€‚

(zouha hanaga nagai desu)

As for the elephant, (its) nose is long.

In this sentence, ใฏ suggests the topic of the elephant, which means that the sentence is about something related to the elephant. The latter ใŒ suggests the subject. What is long? The nose๏ผˆ้ผปใŒ๏ผ‰! The following example may help you better understand the difference between ใฏ and ใŒ when they both act as subjects.

็งใ‚ใŸใ—ใฏใ€€ใ‚ธใ‚งใƒชใƒผใงใ™ใ€‚

(watashiha jerii desu)

As for me, (my name) is Jerry.

็งใ‚ใŸใ—ใŒใ€€ใ‚ธใ‚งใƒชใƒผใงใ™ใ€‚

(watashiga jerii desu)

I am Jerry.

Used in declarative sentences

Unlike ใฏ, which is often used in judgment sentences, ใŒ is used in declarative sentences. You may be wondering what the difference is between a declarative sentence and a judgment sentence. In a nutshell, a declarative sentence describes a thing someone sees or experiences without any modification. Meanwhile, a judgment sentence incorporates someone’s subjective judgment.

Declarative sentence๏ผš้›ชใ‚†ใใŒใ€€้™ใตใ‚Šใพใ™ใ€‚

(describing natural phenomena)

Judgment sentence๏ผšใƒฉใƒผใƒกใƒณใฏใ€€็พŽๅ‘ณใŠใ„ใ—ใ„ใงใ™ใ€‚

(only the speaker feels it delicious, others may not think so)

The above is one of the most common differences between ใŒ and ใฏ. But of course, as I noted before, there are more complications between ใŒ and ใฏ than that. The complexity of Japanese grammar nags at many people. After reaching a higher level, you will gradually unlock a better understanding.

japanese particles guide - ga

ใ‹ (ka)

Many newbies feel baffled between the particle “ใŒ (ga)” and the question marker “ใ‹ (ka).” In reality, the difference between them is more than just the two missing points.

The particle “ใ‹” is a question marker that follows the end of a sentence and transforms a declarative sentence into a question sentence. I think this rule is much simpler than the English one, don’t you?

ๆกœใ•ใใ‚‰ใŒใ€€ๅ’ฒใ•ใใพใ—ใŸใ€‚

(sakuraga sakimashita.)

Cherry blossoms have bloomed.

ๆกœใ•ใใ‚‰ใŒใ€€ๅ’ฒใ•ใใพใ—ใŸใ‹ใ€‚

(sakuraga sakimashitaka.)

Have the cherry blossoms bloomed?

ใธ (he)

ใธ suggests the destination to which the subject is moving. Imagine thatย  you want to fly from New York to Manchester and you need to buy a plane ticket (in case you don’t own a private plane). ใธ works just like this ticket, telling the flight attendant where you are going.

ๆฅ้€ฑใ‚‰ใ„ใ—ใ‚…ใ†ใ€็งใ‚ใŸใ—ใฏใ€€็ฑณๅ›ฝในใ„ใ“ใใธใ€€่กŒใ„ใใพใ™ใ€‚

(raisyuu, watashiha beikokuhe ikimasu.)

I will go to the U.S. next week.

ๆ˜จๆ—ฅใใฎใ†ใ€็—…้™ขใณใ‚‡ใ†ใ„ใ‚“ใธใ€€่กŒใ„ใใพใ—ใŸใ€‚

(kinou, byouinhe ikimashita.)

Yesterday, (I) went to the hospital.

ใง (de)

ใง is probably the particle with the most uses. Although there are many, they are not difficult to understand because each usage has its own unique features. As a beginner, if you can understand a few of them, you will be able to use them in most situations

Indicates where the action takes place

ๆ•™ๅฎคใใ‚‡ใ†ใ—ใคใงใ€€ๆ‰‹็ด™ใฆใŒใฟใ‚’ใ€€ๆ›ธใ‹ใใพใ—ใŸใ€‚

(kyoushitsude tegamiwo kakimashita.)

(I) wrote a letter in the classroom.ย 

Indicates methods, tools, instruments

ๆ•™ๅฎคใใ‚‡ใ†ใ—ใคใงใ€€ๆ—ฅๆœฌ่ชžใซใปใ‚“ใ”ใงใ€€ๆ‰‹็ด™ใฆใŒใฟใ‚’ใ€€ๆ›ธใ‹ใใพใ—ใŸใ€‚

(kyoushitsude nihongode tegamiwo kakimashita.)

I wrote a letter in Japanese in the classroom.

In this sentence, two ใง appear –ย  the first ใง suggests where writing the letter takes place, and the second ใง indicates the language (method) used to write the letter. After all, there are also two in’s in the English translation. However, this is not always the case, as in the following example.

้›ป่ปŠใงใ‚“ใ—ใ‚ƒใงใ€€ๆฑไบฌใจใ†ใใ‚‡ใ†ใธใ€€่กŒใ„ใใพใ™ใ€‚

(denshade toukyouhe ikimasu.)

(I) will go to Tokyo by train.

The above ใง suggests the means of transportation to Tokyo. Recall that the prepositions used in English to suggest methods, tools, instruments are “in, by, through, as, with, etc.” Yet, the Japanese preposition ใง is an all-purpose card. Isn’t that easy?

Indicates the range (time, space)

ใ“ใ“ใฏใ€€ๆ—ฅๆœฌใซใฃใฝใ‚“ใงใ€€ไธ€็•ชใ„ใกใฐใ‚“็พŽๅ‘ณใŠใ„ใ—ใ„ใ€€ใƒฌใ‚นใƒˆใƒฉใƒณใ ใ€‚

(kokoha nihonde ichiban oishii resutoranda.)

This is the best restaurant in Japan.

ไธ€ๅนดใ„ใกใญใ‚“ใฎไธญใชใ‹ใงใ€€ใ‚‚ใฃใจใ‚‚ใ€€ๅฟ™ใ„ใใŒใ—ใ„ๆ™‚ๆœŸใ˜ใใ€‚

(ichinen no nakade mottomo isogashiijiki.)

The busiest time of the year.

Indicates the conditions

Different grammar books may subdivide the examples given below. But please think deeply about the fact that their meanings semantically come from one origin.

ไธ‰ๅ†Šใ•ใ‚“ใ•ใคใงใ€€600ๅ††ใˆใ‚“ใงใ™ใ€‚

(sansatsude roppyakuen desu.)

Three books cost 600 Yen.

๏ผˆIn the case of buying three books, it is $600, but it does not mean that buying one book must be $200. The three books here indicate a situation.๏ผ‰

ใ‚ฏใƒฉใ‚นใฎ็š†ใฟใชใงใ€€ไธ€็ท’ใ„ใฃใ—ใ‚‡ใซใ€€ๅฏฟๅธใ™ใ—ใ‚’ไฝœใคใใ‚Šใพใ™ใ€‚

(kurasunominade issyoni sushiwo tsukurimasu.)

The class will make sushi together.ย 

(In what context will sushi be made? Together with the class)

Indicates raw materials

In the previous section, we discussed that ใ‹ใ‚‰ can be used to cue raw materials. ใง can also be used to indicate raw materials. The difference between them is that the raw materials suggested by ใง are often directly observable to naked eyes.

Japanese particle ใง de

ใ“ใฎๆœบใคใใˆใฏใ€€ๆœจใใงใ€€ไฝœใคใใฃใŸใฎใงใ™ใ€‚

(konotsukueha kide tsukuttanodesu.)

This desk was made of wood.

็ด™ใ‹ใฟใงใ€€้ฃ›่กŒๆฉŸใฒใ“ใ†ใใ‚’ใ€€ไฝœใคใใ‚Šใพใ™ใ€‚

(kamide hikoukiwo tsukurimasu.)

Make airplanes out of paper.

ใจ (to) and ใ‚„(ya)

Many beginners tend to think of ใจ as “and” in English, but this is only partially true. The use of ใจ to express juxtaposition is far less widespread than “and.”

ใจ is usually used only in juxtaposing a complete count. If you want to exemplify something, then ใ‚„ is appropriate for an incomplete count.

ๆžœ็‰ฉใใ ใ‚‚ใฎใฏใ€ใ‚คใƒใ‚ดใจใƒใƒŠใƒŠใŒใ€€ๅฅฝใ™ใใงใ™ใ€‚

(kudamonoha, ichigoto bananaga sukidesu.)

As for fruit, (I) like strawberries and bananas. (thatโ€™s all, nothing else)

ๆžœ็‰ฉใใ ใ‚‚ใฎใฏใ€ใ‚คใƒใ‚ดใ‚„ใƒใƒŠใƒŠ ( ใชใฉ ) ใŒใ€€ๅฅฝใ™ใใงใ™ใ€‚

(kudamonoha, ichigoya banananadoga sukidesu.)

As for fruit, (I) like strawberries, bananas, etc. (examples only, maybe something else)

Also, when you want to express that a person and another person are doing something simultaneously, you need to be careful with the position of ใจ.

็งใ‚ใŸใ—ใฏใ€€ๆฏใฏใฏใจใ€€ไธ€็ท’ใ„ใฃใ—ใ‚‡ใซใ€€ๅฏฟๅธใ™ใ—ใ‚’ไฝœใคใใฃใŸใ€‚

(watashiha hahato issyoni sushiwo tsukutta.)

I made sushi with my mother.

Japanese particles: example sentence

ใ‚’ (wo)

Indicates direct object

ใ‚’ is also one of the essential particles in Japanese. Its most prominent use is to indicate the direct object. If you’ve ever played a shooting game, you must be familiar with the fact that the scope on a sniper rifle helps you aim at the prey or the enemy. ใ‚’ is like such a scope, aiming at the receptor (direct object) of an action.

ๆ™ฉใฐใ‚“ใ”้ฃฏใ‚ใ—ใฏใ€็งใ‚ใŸใ—ใŒใ€€ใƒชใƒณใ‚ดใ‚’ใ€€้ฃŸใŸในใพใ—ใŸใ€‚

(bangohanha, watashiga ringowo tabemashita.)

As for the dinner, I ate an apple.

In this sentence, ใฏ is suggestive of the subject, telling us that what follows is related to dinner. ใŒ plays the crown, signifying the subject (็ง). Furthermore, “้ฃŸในใพใ—ใŸ” is the verb that acts as the predicate, like a gun that goes through the scope (ใ‚’) and aims at the target (ใƒชใƒณใ‚ด). The following example is interesting and more intuitive.

ใ‚ญใƒณใ‚ฐใŒใ€€ใƒฉใƒ“ใƒƒใƒˆใ‚’ใ€€ๅฐ„ๆฎบใ—ใ‚ƒใ•ใคใ—ใŸใ€‚

(kinguga rabittowo syasatsushita.)

The king fired a shot at the rabbit.

โ€ฆใ‚’้™ใ‚Šใ‚‹

Just like ใซ, ใ‚’ also has an essential fixed collocation with the verb ้™ใ‚Šใ‚‹ (ใŠใ‚Šใ‚‹, get off). I wonโ€™t expand on why itโ€™s like this as itโ€™s easier to just remember it as a collocation for now.ย 

้›ป่ปŠใงใ‚“ใ—ใ‚ƒใ‚’ใ€€้™ใŠใ‚Šใ‚‹ใ€‚

(denshawo oriru.)

(I) get off the train.

The above sentence shows how to express “getting off the train” from the angle of this action’s subject. However, different perspectives require different particles. For example, if you are standing on the platform and see your wife getting off the train, you need to use the particle “ใ‹ใ‚‰.”

ๅฆปใคใพใฏใ€€้›ป่ปŠใงใ‚“ใ—ใ‚ƒใ‹ใ‚‰ใ€€้™ใŠใ‚Šใ‚‹ใ€‚

(tsumaha denshakara oriru.)

My wife gets off the train.

ใฎ (no)

This is also a Japanese particle that gives many beginners a headache. Again, many grammar books or articles will break it down into many uses. Still, you need to remember only one original meaning, which indicates someone or something’s belongings.

็งใ‚ใŸใ—ใฎๅ…ˆ็”Ÿใ›ใ‚“ใ›ใ„ใฏใ€€ๅ„ชใ‚„ใ•ใ—ใ„ใงใ™ใ€‚

(watashi no senseiha yasashii desu.)

My teacher is gentle.

ใ‚ใ‚Œใฏใ€€ใ‚ธใ‚งใƒชใƒผใ•ใ‚“ใฎ้ดใใคใงใ™ใ€‚

(areha jeriisanno kutsu desu.)

Those are Jerryโ€™s shoes.

Additionally, ใฎ can also be used as a pronoun, equivalent to “one“. Especially when something has already been mentioned, ใฎ can be used to replace that item.

่ตคใ‚ใ‹ใ„ใ‚นใ‚ซใƒผใƒˆใฏใ€€ใฉใ†ใงใ™ใ‹ใ€‚

(akai sukaatoha doudesuka.)

How about the red skirt?

ย 

ใ“ใฎ็™ฝใ—ใ‚ใ„ใฎใฏใ€€ใ‚ˆใ‚Š่‰ฏใ‚ˆใ„ใ ใ€€ใจๆ€ใŠใ‚‚ใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚

(kono shiroinoha yoriyoidato omoimasu)

I prefer the white one.

ใซ (ni)

ใซ, like ใง, has many uses and is a model worker in the world of particles.

Indicates a place where some things exist in

First of all, ใซ can be used to indicate a place, and such sentences are often translated as “There is/areโ€ฆin…”. Perhaps you understand it simply as โ€inโ€œ, but if you just mechanically memorize it like that, you will likely confuse it with ใง. Please note that ใง suggests the place where the action takes place, and ใซ suggests the place where the object exists. Here is a set of examples.

้Šๅœ’ๅœฐใ‚†ใ†ใˆใ‚“ใกใซใ€€ๅญไพ›ใ“ใฉใ‚‚ใŒใ€€ใŸใใ•ใ‚“ใ€€ใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚

(yuuenchini kodomoga takusan imasu.)

There are many children in the amusement park.

้Šๅœ’ๅœฐใ‚†ใ†ใˆใ‚“ใกใงใ€€ใ‚ขใ‚คใ‚นใ‚ฏใƒชใƒผใƒ ใ‚’ใ€€่ฒทใ‹ใ„ใพใ—ใŸใ€‚

(yuuenchide aisukuriimuwo kaimashita.)

(I) bought an ice cream in the amusement.

The following example is similar to the one above. They are actually from the same origin and suggest an attachment point for something.

ใ“ใ“ใซใ€€ๅๅ‰ใชใพใˆใ‚’ใ€€ๆ›ธใ‹ใ„ใฆใใ ใ•ใ„ใ€‚

(kokoni namaewo kaitekudasai)

Please write your name here.

Indicates specific time

The third use of ใซ is to indicate absolute time, which you can think of as “at.” Generally speaking, time concepts involving numbers, such as “May 2” and “7:50,” are indicated by ใซ. In addition, it can sometimes be added to the days of the week.ย 

7ๆ™‚ใ˜ใซใ€€่ตทใŠใใพใ™ใ€‚

(shichijini okimasu.)

I wake up at 7.

ย 

ๆœจๆ›œๆ—ฅใ‚‚ใใ‚ˆใ†ใณ(ใซ)ใ€€่ฉฆ้จ“ใ—ใ‘ใ‚“ใŒใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ™ใ€‚

(mokuyoubini shikenga arimasu.)

The exam will be on Wednesday.

Japanese particle ni

Indirect object of an action

While ใ‚’ is used to cue a direct object, as we mentioned earlier. ใซ can be used to cue the person who is the recipient of an action, aka, the indirect object as linguists put it. Meanwhile, the object or thing receiving an action from a transitive verb is called a direct object.

ๅฝผๅฅณใ‹ใฎใ˜ใ‚‡ใซใ€€ใƒ—ใƒฌใ‚ผใƒณใƒˆใ‚’ใ€€่ดˆใŠใใ‚Šใพใ—ใŸใ€‚

(kanojoni purezentowo okurimashita.)

(I) gave my girlfriend a gift.

ๅ…ˆ็”Ÿใ›ใ‚“ใ›ใ„ใซใ€€ไผšใ‚ใ†ใ€‚

(senseini au.)

(I) meet the teacher.

Japanese particles: direct object and indirect object

Subject of the action

As we mentioned in the previous section, the particles ใฏ and ใŒ can be used to cue the subject in active sentences. Nonetheless, in passive sentences, the subject of an action is indicated by ใซ.

ๅ…ˆ็”Ÿใ›ใ‚“ใ›ใ„ใซใ€€่ค’ใปใ‚ใ‚‰ใ‚Œใ‚‹ใ€‚

(senseini homerareru.)

(I) praised by the teacher.

ๆฟ้‡Žใ„ใŸใฎใ•ใ‚“ใฏใ€€ไผš้•ทใ‹ใ„ใกใ‚‡ใ†ใซใ€€ๅฑใ—ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ‚Œใพใ—ใŸใ€‚

(itanosanha kaichoni shikararemashita.)

Itano-san was criticized by the boss.

Express a purpose

In Japanese, the most basic sentence structure to express purpose is verb stem form or noun +ใซ + ่กŒใ. If you understand this, you can quickly master a series of expressions such as “I’m going to do sth”, “I went doing sth” and so on.

้‡ฃใคใ‚Šใซใ€€่กŒใ„ใใพใ™ใ€‚

(tsurini ikimasu.)

I am going fishing.

่ฒทใ‹ใ„็‰ฉใ‚‚ใฎใซใ€€่กŒใ„ใฃใŸใ€‚

(kaimononi itta.)

(I) went shopping.

โ€ฆใซไน—ใ‚‹

Another use of ใซ is to indicate means of transportation. You may come across the phrase “xx ใซ ไน—ใฎใ‚‹ (get on)” very often at early stages of Japanese learning. As you have guessed, here ใซ is used to indicate means of transportation.ย 

้›ป่ปŠใงใ‚“ใ—ใ‚ƒใซใ€€ไน—ใฎใ‚‹ใ€‚

(denshani noru.)

(I) get on the train.

ใ‚‚ (mo)

The usage of ใ‚‚ is straightforward – it has the role of ใŒ indicating the subject, and on top of that, it has the additional meaning of “also.” In English, it is equivalent to “also,” “as well,” or “either.”

ใƒ‹ใ‚ฏใ‚ฝใƒณใ‚‚ใ€€ใ‚ขใƒกใƒชใ‚ซไบบใซใ‚“ใงใ™ใ€‚

(nikusonmo amerikajindesu.)

Nickson is also American.

It can also be used with the negative form of verbs and adjectives to indicate complete negation.ย 

ไฝ•ใชใซใ‚‚ใ€€็Ÿฅใ—ใ‚Šใพใ›ใ‚“ใ€‚

(nanimo shirimasen.)

๏ผˆI donโ€™t know anything๏ผ‰

ใ‹ใ‚‰ (kara)

ใ‹ใ‚‰ is one of the few particles in Japanese that consists of two kana. It has several meanings and uses. At first glance, they seem very different. But a closer look shows an underlying logic: almost all of them are related to the meaning of “source.”

Indicate starting point

First, let’s learn two examples of how ใ‹ใ‚‰ is used to indicate the starting point of time. In such cases, they are always placed after time-related nouns like “ใ„ใค (itsu)”, โ€œไธ‰ๆ™‚ (sanji)โ€ and “ไฝ•ๆ™‚ (nanji)”.

ใ„ใคใ‹ใ‚‰ใ€€ๆ—ฅๆœฌ่ชžใซใปใ‚“ใ”ใ‚’ใ€€ๅ‹‰ๅผทในใ‚“ใใ‚‡ใ†ใ—ใฆใ„ใพใ™ใ‹ใ€‚

(itsukara nihongowo benkyoushimashitaka.)

How long have you been studying Japanese?

ไผš่ญฐใ‹ใ„ใŽใฏใ€€ไธ‰ๆ™‚ใ•ใ‚“ใ˜ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ€€ๅง‹ใฏใ˜ใพใ‚Šใพใ™ใ€‚

(kaigiha sanjikara hajimarimasu.)

The meeting will begin at three p.m.

Japanese particle kara

Likewise, ใ‹ใ‚‰ can also indicate the starting point of space, which is similar to โ€œfromโ€ in English.

ใฉใ“ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ€€ๆฅใใพใ—ใŸใ‹ใ€‚

(dokokara kimashitaka.)

Where did you come from?

 

ๅคง้˜ชใŠใŠใ•ใ‹ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ€€ๆฅใใพใ—ใŸใ€‚

(osakakara kimashita.)

I just came from Osaka.

In addition, ใ‹ใ‚‰ can also indicate the starting point of some abstract concepts. For example:

ไธ€็•ชใ„ใกใฐใ‚“ใฎๅญฆ็”ŸใŒใใ›ใ„ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ€€้ †็•ชใ˜ใ‚…ใ‚“ใฐใ‚“ใซใ€€็™บ่กจใฏใฃใดใ‚‡ใ†ใ—ใพใ™ใ€‚

(ichibannogakuseikara junbanni happyoshimasu.)

ย The presentations will be made in order.

Indicates the subject of an action

Kara can also indicate an action’s subject, mainly in receiving and giving phrases โ€“ย  use ใ‹ใ‚‰ to indicate the giver if itโ€™s an organization.

ๅ›ณๆ›ธ้คจใจใ—ใ‚‡ใ‹ใ‚“ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ€€ๆœฌใปใ‚“ใ‚’ใ€€ใ‚‚ใ‚‰ใ„ใพใ—ใŸใ€‚

(toshokankara honwo moraimashita.)

I received a book from the library.

If the giver is a person, then useย  ใซ.ย 

ๅ…ˆ็”Ÿใ›ใ‚“ใ›ใ„ใซใ€€ๆ•™ใŠใ—ใˆใฆใ€€ใ‚‚ใ‚‰ใ„ใพใ—ใŸใ€‚

(senseini oshiete moraimashita.)

My teacher taught me.

Indicates raw materials

Sometimes ใ‹ใ‚‰ indicates the raw material from which something is made. It’s important to note that unlike ใง, which suggests raw material has not gone through major changes before becoming the final product, ใ‹ใ‚‰ is often used in cases when a chemical change has occurred or when the raw material can’t be spotted by naked eyes. You can also refer to the differences between โ€œmade ofโ€ and โ€œmade fromโ€ in English.

ใƒฏใ‚คใƒณ ใฏใ€€่‘ก่„ใถใฉใ†ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ€€ไฝœใคใใ‚‰ใ‚Œใฆใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚

(wainha budoukara tsukuraretemasu.)

Wine is made from grapes.

ใƒ“ใƒผใƒซ ใฏใ€€้บฆใ‚€ใŽใ‹ใ‚‰ใ€€้€ ใคใใ‚‰ใ‚Œใพใ—ใŸใ€‚

(biiruha mugikara tsukuraremashita.)

Beer was made from wheat.

Japanese particle ใ‹ใ‚‰

Indicates reason

Quite unlike any of the uses above, ใ‹ใ‚‰ can also be used to express reasons like โ€œbecauseโ€, โ€œsinceโ€, and โ€œsoโ€. The ใ‹ใ‚‰ part is mostly placed at the beginning of a sentence. Here are two examples

ใƒซใƒผใƒซใ ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ€ๅฎˆใพใ‚‚ใฃใฆใใ ใ•ใ„ใ€‚

(ruurudakara mamottekudasai.)

It’s a rule, so please follow it.

ไปŠๆ—ฅใ“ใ‚“ใซใกใฏ้›จใ‚ใ‚ใ ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ€ๆด—ๆฟฏใ›ใ‚“ใŸใใ‚’ใ—ใพใ›ใ‚“ใ€‚

(kyouha amedakara sentakuwoshimasen.)

It’s raining today, so I won’t be doing laundry.

ใพใง (made)

Indicates the end of time or space

As we have already mentioned, ใ‹ใ‚‰ can indicate the starting point of time or space. Conversely, ใพใง indicates the ending point of time or space. ใพใง is often combined with ใ‹ใ‚‰ together, and they appear simultaneously. Of course, they can also be used separately.

ไธŠๆตทใ—ใ‚ƒใ‚“ใฏใ„ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ€€ๆฑไบฌใจใ†ใใ‚‡ใ†ใพใงใ€€้ฃ›่กŒๆฉŸใฒใ“ใ†ใใงใ€€่กŒใ„ใใพใ™ใ€‚

(shanhaikara toukyoumade hikoukide ikimasu.)

We will fly from Shanghai to Tokyo.

ไนๆ™‚ใใ˜ใพใงใ€€ๅƒใฏใŸใ‚‰ใใ€‚

(kujimade hataraku.)

(I) work until nine o’clock.

Many beginners are confused about the difference between ใพใง and ใพใงใซ. But it’s actually not that difficult to distinguish them.ย 

ใพใง refers to the end of continuous verbs. What is a continuous verb? It is an action that can be sustained for a while, such as “eating,” “sleeping,” “studying,” etc. In the above example, “ๅƒใ(hataraku)” is a typical continuous verb, meaning working.

The word “ใพใงใซ” is mainly used to express a momentary verb that must be completed before a specific time. Momentary verbs are not sustainable, such as “come,” “go,” “submit,” etc.

ไธ‰ๆœˆใ•ใ‚“ใŒใคไบ”ๆ—ฅใ„ใคใ‹ใพใงใซใ€€่ซ–ๆ–‡ใ‚ใ‚“ใถใ‚“ใ‚’ใ€€ๆๅ‡บใฆใ„ใ—ใ‚…ใคใ—ใฆใใ ใ•ใ„ใ€‚

(sangatsuitsukamadeni ronbunwo teishutsushitekudasai.)

Papers must be submitted by March 5.

Donโ€™t worry if you find this a bit difficult, as you will notice their differences gradually as you progress in Japanese with a comprehensive learning tool like LingoDeer.

ใญ (ne) and ใ‚ˆ (yo)

ใญ and ใ‚ˆ are two of the most common modal particles in Japanese with quite different usages. Although there are many nuances between them, as beginners, we only need to remember the following rules.

ใญ expresses agreement with the others based on a shared understanding of the issue or seeking the other’s approval for one’s inferences or judgments.

A๏ผšใ„ใ„ๅคฉๆฐ—ใฆใ‚“ใใงใ™ใญใ€‚- It’s nice weather.

(iitenkidesune.)

 

B๏ผšๆœฌๅฝ“ใปใ‚“ใจใ†ใงใ™ใญใ€‚- True.

(hontoudesune.)

ใ‚ˆ is used to emphasize one’s judgment or assertion, and to inform or remind others about something they may not have noticed, should know, or should do.

ใ‚ใฎ ใƒฌใ‚นใƒˆใƒฉใƒณใฏใ€€็พŽๅ‘ณใŠใ„ใ—ใ„ใงใ™ใ‚ˆใ€‚

(anoresutoranha oishiidesuyo.)

That restaurant is delicious.

ใ‚ˆใ‚Š (yori)

The most typical use of the particle ใ‚ˆใ‚Š is that it introduces comparison. In such a case, ใ‚ˆใ‚Š can be translated to “than” in English.

ๅŒ—ไบฌใบใใ‚“ใฏใ€€ๆฑไบฌใจใ†ใใ‚‡ใ†ใ‚ˆใ‚Šใ€€ๅฏ’ใ•ใ‚€ใ„ใงใ™ใ€‚

(pekkinha toukyouyori samuidesu.)

Beijing is colder than Tokyo.

ๅ€‰ๆœฌใใ‚‰ใ‚‚ใจใ‚ˆใ‚Šใ€€ไธญ้‡Žใชใ‹ใฎใฎใปใ†ใŒใ€€้‡‘ๆŒใ‹ใญใ‚‚ใกใงใ™ใ€‚

(kuramotoyori nakanonohouga kanemochidesu.)

Nakano is richer than Kuramoto.

In the second example, “Noun 1 ใ‚ˆใ‚Š Noun 2 ใฎใปใ†ใŒ Adj. or Noun” is a basic comparative sentence structure. meaning โ€œNoun 2 is more xxx than Noun 1โ€.

Distinguish movement indicators ใธ, ใซ, and ใ‚’

Dear reader, you may be wondering – what is it for this part? OK, Iโ€˜m glad to explainโ€”

All these three articles are related to movement, but there are subtle differences among their uses. Take a look at the image below to better understand them.

Japanese particles: movement indicators ใธ he, ใซ ni, and ใ‚’ o

As you can see,ย  the particle ใ‚’ suggests the displacement trajectory created during the climb, focusing on the route.ย 

ๅฑฑใ‚„ใพใ‚’็™ปใฎใผใฃใฆใ€ๅ‹้”ใจใ‚‚ใ ใกใฎๅฎถใ„ใˆใซ่กŒใ„ใใพใ™ใ€‚

(yamawo nobotte, tomodachinoieni ikimasu.)

I went over a mountain to a friend’s home.

ใซ emphasizes that “climbing” is an action, not a displacement trajectory. At the same time, ใซ gives the impression that the goal is to reach the top of the mountain, while ใ‚’ places more emphasis on the process.

ๅคฉๆฐ—ใฆใ‚“ใใŒใ„ใ„ใ‹ใ‚‰ใ€ๅฑฑใ‚„ใพใซ็™ปใฎใผใ‚Šใพใ—ใ‚‡ใ†ใ€‚

(tenkigaiikara, yamani noborimasho.)

It’s a lovely day! Let’s climb the mountain.

In the example example, the emphasis of the particle ใธ is on the journey (from home to the foot of the mountain). ใธ gives the impression of being on the way to a specific destination. What you will do (climbing or circling the mountain) when you arrive at the foot of the hill is not the sentence’s focus.

่ปŠใใ‚‹ใพใงๅฑฑใ‚„ใพใธ่กŒใ„ใใพใ™ใ€‚

(kurumade yamahe ikimasu.)

We will drive to the mountain.

I know the above discussions are a bit difficult, and I am indeed being strict with my beginner friends. It’s okay if you donโ€™t understand this part.ย 

Dear reader, have you noticed that the special rules I have mentioned in the ใ‚’ and ใซ section are not actually “special.” Last, let’s have a look at an easier example.

ไฝ“่‚ฒ้คจใŸใ„ใ„ใใ‹ใ‚“ใธใ€€ๆณณใŠใ‚ˆใŽใซใ€€่กŒใ„ใใพใ™ใ€‚

(taiikukanhe oyogini ikimasu.)

(I) go swimming at the gym.

In this example, “the gym” is not the purpose but only the place I’m going to. Iโ€™m actually up to “go swimming,” which is indicated by ใซใ€‚

how many japanese particles are there

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Chelsea
Chelsea
1 year ago

I have been studying Japanese for 1 year. Japanese seems easy but it might also be confusing; each particle can have several different meanings and usages. Thank you for sharing!

Christine
Christine
1 year ago

So helpful! Thanks for sharing this about Japanese! Gotta keep pracitcing