Particles

Introduction
Partic les play very important role in Japanese language and probably it is the most diffic ult and c onfusing
aspec t in a Japanese sentenc e. A partic le (/) is a word that shows the relationship of a word, a
phrase, or a c lause to the rest of the sentenc e. There are also partic les that have a pec uliar usage whic h
is not found in English. Most partic les are multi-func tional. Below is the explanation of some partic les used
frequently in Japanese language, but please note that these explanations are not all explanations about
partic les.
ga()

Usage

Means

Indicates direct object

Basu ga kimashita.

Bus has come.

It stresses the word before . It is much used in a answer to interrogative.

()
Kyou wa dare ga kimasuka?

Who will come today?

Mr.Inoue comes.

()
Inoue san ga kimasu.
It makes a sentence a part of bigger sentence.
()
Kono eiga wa omoshiroi desu.

This movie is interesting.

() ( It is fact that this movie is interesting.

)
Kono eiga ga omoshiroi koto wa jijitsu
desu.
NOTE: In this function, '' indicates a subject and '' indicates topic of the
sentence. There are many sentences in which subject of the sentence matches for
topic of the sentence. For example, in upper sentence, can be called not
only as a topic but also as a subject of the sentence. But in the sentence below,
subject is different from the topic of the sentence.
(no)

Usage

Means

Noun1 (no) Noun2

()
Watashi no hon.

My book.

()

Tom's clock.

Tom san no tokei.

wa()

Usage

Means

Indicates direct object

I am British.

Watashi wa igirisu jin desu.

()

Today is a holiday.

Kyou wa yasumi desu.

(wo)

Usage

Means

Indicates direct object

() () ()
Watashi wa hon o yomimasu.

I read a book.

() () ()

I read a book.

Watashi wa hon o yomimasu.

(ni

Usage

Means

time/date (ni
7() ()
Shichiji ni okimasu.

I get up at seven.

()10() ()

Meeting starts at ten.

Kaigi wa juuji ni hajimarimasu.

place (ni/ Goal of movement
() ()
Gakkou ni ikimasu.

I go to school.

() ()

I go to Akihabara.

Akihabara ni ikimasu.
(de)

Usage

Means

(de) Something
()
Basu de ikimasu.
place (ni/ Goal of movement

I go by bus.

 ()

I write with pen.

Pen de kakimasu.
() ()

I work in Tokyo.

Tokyo de shigoto o shimasu.

(to)

Usage

Means

Noun to () Noun
() ()

I will buy meat and fish at the

Watashi wa suupaa de niku to sakana o

supermarket.

kaimasu.
() () () What's the time difference between

Tokyo and London?

Tokyo to London no jisa wa nanjikan

desuka?
Something with to ()
() () () () I went to see a movie with my friend.

Tomodachi to eiga o mi niikimashita.

()() () I'm going to travel with my mother.
()
Raishuu haha to ryokou ni ikimasu.