Particles
Word | Romanization | Meaning | Usage Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
か | ka | Question particle | <statement> か Frames statement as a question. |
が | ga | Subject | <A> が <B> It differentiates the topic from the subject. Here A is the subject.The subject is the thing performing the verb which may be different from the pre-established topic. It is also used after question words in place of は. It is also used to introduce or present an item. |
で | de | Indicates where an event described by a verb takes place Note that this is reliant on an action taking place. | <A> で <v> We say that the noun A is where V happened |
と | to | And (with a specific list in mind) | X と Y (1) X and Y (2) X together with Y. |
に | ni | Indicates (1) The goal towards which things move (2) The time at which an event takes place More generally — this particle is used when describing the location of a state of being | <N> に <V> (1) N is where V is headed towards(2) N is when V took placeThis particle is substitutable in the case of approximate time references. For example <A> ごろ / ごろに <V> For (2) This particle is not used with (2a) Expressions defined relative to the present day; (2b) Expressions describing regular intervals and; (2c) “When” |
ね | ne | “Right? Isn’t It?” | <X> ね We use this to say “X, right?” It gives the sentence the tone of asking the listener for confirmation. |
の | no | Possessiveness; In general acts as a Noun modifier | <X> の <Y> Means X modifies Y. In this sense, X acts as a noun adjunct. |
は | wa | Topic | <A> は <B> Means A is the topic of the sentenceThe topic can pertain to both the sentence and the conversation so far (remember, Japanese is contextual). The particle draws attention to this topic. |
へ | e | Indicates the goal of movement Note that this implies directionality. | <N> へ <V> N is where V is headed towards. |
も | mo | Too | We use も in place of は as in the following<X> も <Y> This is saying X is Y too. It is also used when X and Y have something in common. In such a case, it replaces は、 が、 を |
よ | yo | “I tell you” | <X> よ We use this to say “X, I tell you” Adding this particle gives the statement an authoritative or assertive tone. |
を | o | Indicates direct objects | <DO> を <V> We say that the noun DO is the direct object of the verb V |