No particles match your search. Try different keywords.
が (Subject Marker / Identifier)
Structure: N が …
Marks the grammatical subject. Used to introduce new information
or with potential/emotion verbs.
How to use: Place が after the subject. Often
answers 'who?' or 'what?'
💡 Use が for existence (ある・いる), desires (〜たい), and
abilities (できる・わかる).
Examples
ねこ が いる.
Neko ga iru.
→ There is a cat.
だれ が きました か.
Dare ga kimashita ka.
→ Who came?
が (But / However)
Structure: Sentence が、 Sentence
Conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however'. Softer than でも.
How to use: Attach が to the end of the first
clause. Politer than けど.
💡 Also used as a softener before stating an opinion. For
contrast between nouns, use
〜は〜が.
Examples
日本語 は すき です が、 かんじ は むずかしい.
Nihongo wa suki desu ga, kanji wa muzukashii.
→ I like Japanese, but kanji is difficult.
しつれい ですが、 おなまえ は？
Shitsurei desu ga, onamae wa?
→ Excuse me, but what is your name?
が (Possessive in subordinate clauses)
Structure: N1 が N2 (in relative clause)
In relative clauses, が can mark the subject of the modifying
clause, similar to possessive の.
How to use: Replace の with が to emphasize the
subject in a relative clause.
💡 Often interchangeable with
の in relative clauses.
が gives focus to the subject.
Examples
わたし が かった ほん.
Watashi ga katta hon.
→ The book that I bought.
せんせい が おしえた がくせい.
Sensei ga oshieta gakusei.
→ The student whom the teacher taught.
に (Time / Direction / Indirect Object)
Structure: Time N に / Place N に iku/kuru /
Person N に ageru
Indicates specific time, destination, or recipient of an action.
How to use: Use for clock times, days, months;
for going to a place; for giving/receiving to a person.
💡 Don't use に with relative
time words like
きょう・あした・まいばん.
Examples
7じ に おきます.
Shichi-ji ni okimasu.
→ I wake up at 7 o'clock.
ともだち に プレゼント を あげた.
Tomodachi ni purezento o ageta.
→ I gave a present to my friend.
に (Purpose / For doing)
Structure: V-masu-stem に 行く/来る
Indicates purpose of movement (going/coming to do something).
How to use: Use masu-stem of verb + に + motion
verb.
💡 For nouns, use
〜に directly (e.g.,
かいものにいく).
Examples
ごはん を たべに いきます.
Gohan o tabe ni ikimasu.
→ I go to eat a meal.
ともだち に あいに きました.
Tomodachi ni ai ni kimashita.
→ I came to meet a friend.
に (Source / Agent in passive)
Structure: N に (passive)
In passive sentences, marks the agent (the doer).
How to use: Replace が with に in passive
constructions.
💡 Also used for source in receiving:
〜にもらう (receive from).
Examples
ともだち に よばれた.
Tomodachi ni yobareta.
→ I was called by a friend.
せんせい に ほめられた.
Sensei ni homerareta.
→ I was praised by the teacher.
に (Point in time)
Structure: Specific time に
Marks a specific point in time when an action occurs.
How to use: Attach に to specific times (hours,
days of week, months, years).
💡 Not used with relative time words like
きょう,
あした,
まいばん.
Examples
どようび に あいましょう.
Doyōbi ni aimashō.
→ Let's meet on Saturday.
にがつ に にほん へ いきます.
Nigatsu ni Nihon e ikimasu.
→ I go to Japan in February.
で (Location of action)
Structure: Place N で V
Marks where an action happens.
How to use: Place で after the location. The
verb must be an action verb (not existence).
💡 Contrast: に for existence
(ある・いる),
で for action.
Examples
がっこう で べんきょうする.
Gakkō de benkyō suru.
→ I study at school.
レストラン で たべる.
Resutoran de taberu.
→ Eat at a restaurant.
で (Means / Tool)
Structure: Tool N で V
Indicates the means or tool used to do something.
How to use: Place で after the noun
representing the tool or method.
💡 For language, use
〜で (e.g.,
日本語ではなす). For
transportation, also use で.
Examples
バス で いきます.
Basu de ikimasu.
→ I go by bus.
ペン で かいて ください.
Pen de kaite kudasai.
→ Please write with a pen.
で (Material / Cause)
Structure: Material N で V / Cause N で
Indicates the material something is made of, or the cause of a
state.
How to use: Place で after the material or
cause.
💡 For material, use で; for
'made of' with visible result, also
で.
Examples
き で つくられた いす.
Ki de tsukurareta isu.
→ A chair made of wood.
びょうき で やすんだ.
Byōki de yasunda.
→ I rested due to illness.
と (And / With)
Structure: N と N / N と V
Lists items exhaustively, or indicates accompaniment ('with').
How to use: Use between nouns for exhaustive
listing; after a person for 'with someone'.
💡 と for exhaustive lists;
や for partial lists.
Examples
ほん と ざっし を かった.
Hon to zasshi o katta.
→ I bought a book and a magazine.
ともだち と いっしょ に いく.
Tomodachi to issho ni iku.
→ I go with a friend.
と (Quotation)
Structure: Quote と いう / おもう
Marks a quotation or thought.
How to use: Place と after the quoted phrase,
then a verb like いう (say) or おもう (think).
💡 For onomatopoeia, use
と (e.g.,
ワンワンとなく).
Examples
「おはよう」 と いいました.
'Ohayō' to iimashita.
→ He said 'good morning'.
あした は はれ と おもう.
Ashita wa hare to omou.
→ I think it will be sunny tomorrow.
と (If / When / Whenever)
Structure: Condition と、 Result
Expresses a natural consequence or habitual result. 'If/whenever
X, Y happens.'
How to use: Attach と to the plain form of the
verb. The result must be natural, not volitional.
💡 Cannot be used for commands, requests, or invitations. Used
for inevitable outcomes.
Examples
はる に なると、 さくら が さく.
Haru ni naru to, sakura ga saku.
→ When spring comes, cherry blossoms bloom.
おす と、 ドア が ひらく.
Osu to, doa ga hiraku.
→ If you push, the door opens.
も (Also / Even)
Structure: N も
Indicates that something is also true, or adds emphasis.
How to use: Replace は/が/を with も to say
'also'.
💡 〜も〜ない = 'neither __
nor __ '. だれも = everyone/no
one depending on positive/negative verb.
Examples
わたし も いきます.
Watashi mo ikimasu.
→ I will go too.
なにも たべませんでした.
Nani mo tabemasen deshita.
→ I ate nothing.
も (Even / As many as)
Structure: Number も
Emphasizes a large quantity or extreme degree.
How to use: Attach も to a number + counter to
express 'as many as'.
💡 For small numbers, も can
imply surprise that it's so few.
Examples
じゅうねん も にほん に すんだ.
Jū-nen mo Nihon ni sunda.
→ I lived in Japan for as long as 10 years.
いっぱい も のめない.
Ippai mo nomenai.
→ I can't drink even one cup.
から (From / Since / Because)
Structure: Time/Place N から V / Clause から
Clause
Indicates starting point in time or space, or a reason/cause.
How to use: Place after a noun for 'from';
attach to a plain clause for 'because'.
💡 Reason: から is subjective
(speaker's reason); ので is
objective (factual).
Examples
あした から やすみます.
Ashita kara yasumimasu.
→ I'll take a holiday from tomorrow.
あつい から まど を あけた.
Atsui kara mado o aketa.
→ Because it was hot, I opened the window.
まで (Until / Up to)
Structure: Time/Place N まで
Indicates an endpoint in time or space.
How to use: Place after a noun or time
expression.
💡 Pair with から:
〜から〜まで = 'from X to Y'.
Examples
ごじ まで まちます.
Go-ji made machimasu.
→ I'll wait until 5 o'clock.
えき まで あるいて いきます.
Eki made aruite ikimasu.
→ I'll walk to the station.
までに (By / By the time)
Structure: Time までに
Indicates the deadline by which an action must be completed.
How to use: Attach to a time expression or
event.
💡 Contrast: まで = continue
until; までに = complete by.
Examples
5じ までに かえります.
Go-ji made ni kaerimasu.
→ I will return by 5 o'clock.
あした までに しゅくだい を おわらせる.
Ashita made ni shukudai o owaraseru.
→ I'll finish homework by tomorrow.
より (Than / Compared to)
Structure: N より N2 のほうが Adj
Expresses comparison.
How to use: Put より after the item being
compared to. Use のほうが for the superior item.
💡 〜より can also mean 'from'
in formal writing. For 'rather than', use
〜よりむしろ.
Examples
でんしゃ より バス の ほうが やすい.
Densha yori basu no hō ga yasui.
→ The bus is cheaper than the train.
きのう より あたたかい.
Kinō yori atatakai.
→ It's warmer than yesterday.
ほど (To the extent / As __ as)
Structure: N/Adj ほど
Indicates degree or limit; used in comparisons 'as __ as'.
How to use: Attach to noun or adjective; often
in pattern AはBほどCない (not as C as B).
💡 With negative verb:
ほど〜ない = 'not as __ as'.
Also '〜ば〜ほど' = 'the more___ the more'.
Examples
きのう ほど あつくない.
Kinō hodo atsukunai.
→ It's not as hot as yesterday.
しぬ ほど つかれた.
Shinu hodo tsukareta.
→ Tired to death.
さえ (Even)
Structure: N さえ
Indicates an extreme example, often 'even'.
How to use: Replace が/を with さえ; can be
used with negative for 'not even'.
💡 さえ implies
unexpectedness. でさえ =
'even' (emphatic).
Examples
こども さえ わかる.
Kodomo sae wakaru.
→ Even a child understands.
ひるごはん さえ たべていない.
Hirugohan sae tabete inai.
→ I haven't even eaten lunch.
でも (Even / But / Or something)
Structure: N でも / Sentence でも
Gives an example (soft suggestion), means 'even', or contrasts.
How to use: After noun: 'or something'; after
te-form: 'even if'; at sentence start: 'but'.
💡 For 'but' at beginning of sentence, use
でも (casual) or
しかし (formal).
Examples
おちゃ でも のみませんか.
Ocha demo nomimasen ka.
→ Won't you drink some tea or something?
あめ でも いく.
Ame demo iku.
→ Even if it rains, I'll go.
など (Such as / Etc.)
Structure: N など
Indicates examples, similar to 'such as' or 'and so on'.
How to use: Attach to a noun; often used with
や.
💡 Often paired with や:
NやNなど.
Examples
くだもの など を かった.
Kudamono nado o katta.
→ I bought fruits and so on.
日本語 や えいご など が はなせる.
Nihongo ya eigo nado ga hanaseru.
→ I can speak Japanese, English, etc.
し (And / What's more)
Structure: Plain form し, Plain form し
Lists multiple reasons or facts, implying there are more.
How to use: Attach to plain forms of verbs,
adjectives, nouns+だ.
💡 Often used to give multiple reasons: 'not only___ but also __
'
Examples
あついし、つかれたし、いきたくない.
Atsui shi, tsukareta shi, ikitakunai.
→ It's hot, I'm tired, and I don't want to go.
やすいし、おいしいし、よくいく.
Yasui shi, oishii shi, yoku iku.
→ It's cheap, tasty, so I go often.
ながら (While / Although)
Structure: V-masu-stem ながら V
Indicates two simultaneous actions or a contradiction ('while,
although').
How to use: Attach to the masu-stem of the
verb; main verb is the primary action.
💡 First verb is background action. For 'although', use
ながらも.
Examples
おんがく を ききながら べんきょうする.
Ongaku o kiki-nagara benkyō suru.
→ Study while listening to music.
わかっていながら しらない ふり をする.
Wakatte inagara shiranai furi o suru.
→ Pretend not to know while knowing.
の (Possession / Modifier)
Structure: N1 の N2
Connects two nouns: possession, content, origin, or category.
How to use: N1 modifies N2. The relationship
can be ownership, material, or apposition.
💡 の can also replace a noun
when context is clear (nominalization).
Examples
わたし の ほん.
Watashi no hon.
→ My book.
日本語 の せんせい.
Nihongo no sensei.
→ Teacher of Japanese.
の (Nominalizer)
Structure: Verb/Adj の
Turns a verb or adjective into a noun phrase.
How to use: Attach の to plain form of verbs or
adjectives.
💡 Use の to say 'the
thing/act of __ '. For 'the fact that __ ', use
こと.
Examples
たべる の が すき です.
Taberu no ga suki desu.
→ I like eating.
くる の は だれ？
Kuru no wa dare?
→ Who is the one coming?
か (Question marker)
Structure: Sentence か
Turns a sentence into a yes/no or wh-question.
How to use: Attach to the end of a sentence.
For wh-questions, the question word remains.
💡 In casual speech, often omitted with rising intonation. For
embedded questions, use
かどうか.
Examples
いく か？
Iku ka?
→ Are you going?
だれ が きた か しっていますか.
Dare ga kita ka shitte imasu ka.
→ Do you know who came?
か (Or)
Structure: N か N
Lists alternatives.
How to use: Place between nouns.
💡 For verbs, use 〜か〜か.
Can be used with question words:
どこか = somewhere.
Examples
コーヒー か おちゃ を のみます.
Kōhī ka ocha o nomimasu.
→ I'll drink coffee or tea.
いく か いかない か わからない.
Iku ka ikanai ka wakaranai.
→ I don't know whether to go or not.
ね (Confirmation / Softener)
Structure: Sentence ね
Softens a statement, seeks agreement, or shows shared feeling.
How to use: Attach to the end of a sentence.
💡 Like ' __ isn't it?' or 'you know'. Use when you expect the
listener to agree.
Examples
いい てんき ですね.
Ii tenki desu ne.
→ Nice weather, isn't it?
そう です ね.
Sō desu ne.
→ That's right (I agree).
よ (Emphasis / Information)
Structure: Sentence よ
Indicates strong assertion or provides new information to the
listener.
How to use: Attach to the end of a sentence.
💡 Use よ when you think the
listener doesn't know something or to urge action.
Examples
あした は テスト です よ.
Ashita wa tesuto desu yo.
→ There's a test tomorrow (you might not know).
はやく いきましょう よ.
Hayaku ikimashō yo.
→ Let's go quickly (urging).
だけ (Only / Just)
Structure: N/Adj だけ
Limits the amount or scope.
How to use: Attach to nouns, adjectives, verbs.
💡 だけ is neutral.
しか〜ない emphasizes
insufficiency.
Examples
これ だけ ください.
Kore dake kudasai.
→ Just this one please.
あさごはん は パン だけ たべた.
Asagohan wa pan dake tabeta.
→ I ate only bread for breakfast.
しか (Only - negative)
Structure: N しか V-negative
Means 'only' but with a negative verb. Emphasizes that there is
nothing beyond the stated item.
How to use: Replace が/を with しか, and use a
negative verb.
💡 しか〜ない = 'nothing but'.
Stronger than だけ.
Examples
いちえん しか ない.
Ichi-en shika nai.
→ I have only one yen (nothing more).
りんご しか たべなかった.
Ringo shika tabenakatta.
→ I ate nothing but apples.
は (Topic Marker)
Structure: N は …
Marks the topic of the sentence. What the sentence is about.
How to use: Put は after the topic noun. The
rest of the sentence comments on that topic.
💡 Never use は to ask 'what is X?' Use が for new information.
は is pronounced 'wa' here.
Examples
わたし は がくせい です.
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
→ I am a student.
きょう は あつい です.
Kyō wa atsui desu.
→ Today is hot.
を (Direct Object Marker)
Structure: N を V
Marks the direct object of a transitive verb.
How to use: Place を after the object noun. The
verb must be transitive.
💡 を is only used with action
verbs. Pronounced 'o'.
Examples
ごはん を たべます.
Gohan o tabemasu.
→ I eat a meal.
ほん を よみました.
Hon o yomimashita.
→ I read a book.
へ (Direction Marker)
Structure: Place N へ iku/kuru/kaeru
Indicates direction toward a place (emphasizes direction).
How to use: Use へ after a place noun with
verbs of motion. Pronounced 'e'.
💡 Can replace に for
destinations, but へ sounds
more directional.
Examples
にほん へ いきます.
Nihon e ikimasu.
→ I go to Japan.
みなみ へ むかう.
Minami e mukau.
→ Head south.
や (Partial list / Such as)
Structure: N や N など
Lists examples (incomplete list), implying there are other
similar items.
How to use: Place や between nouns. Often used
with など (etc.).
💡 Use や for 'and things like
that'. Use と for complete
lists.
Examples
りんご や バナナ が すき です.
Ringo ya banana ga suki desu.
→ I like apples, bananas, etc.
ほん や ざっし など を よみます.
Hon ya zasshi nado o yomimasu.
→ I read books, magazines, and such.
について (About / Concerning)
Structure: N について
Indicates the topic of discussion, thinking, or writing.
How to use: Attach to a noun.
💡 Use for 'speak about', 'think about', 'write about'. More
formal than のことで.
Examples
にほん の ぶんか について はなす.
Nihon no bunka ni tsuite hanasu.
→ Talk about Japanese culture.
この もんだい について かんがえて ください.
Kono mondai ni tsuite kangaete kudasai.
→ Please think about this problem.
にとって (For / From the perspective of)
Structure: N にとって
Expresses a person's viewpoint or evaluation.
How to use: Attach to a noun (usually a person
or group).
💡 Often used with adjectives like
たいせつ,
べんり.
Examples
わたし にとって かぞく は だいじ です.
Watashi ni totte kazoku wa daiji desu.
→ For me, family is important.
がくせい にとって この テスト は むずかしい.
Gakusei ni totte kono tesuto wa muzukashii.
→ For students, this test is difficult.
に対して (Towards / Against / In contrast to)
Structure: N に対して
Indicates an action directed toward someone/something, or a
contrast.
How to use: Attach to a noun. Can also mean 'in
contrast'.
💡 Often used with verbs like
はんのうする (react),
せつめいする (explain to).
Examples
せんせい にたいして けいご を つかう.
Sensei ni taishite keigo o tsukau.
→ Use honorifics toward a teacher.
さっか にたいして しつもん が ある.
Sakka ni taishite shitsumon ga aru.
→ I have a question for the author.
によって (By / Depending on / Due to)
Structure: N によって
Indicates agent (in passive), means, or variation depending on.
How to use: Attach to a noun. For passive
agent, replaces に.
💡 Also によると 'according
to'. によっては 'depending
on'.
Examples
この しろ は 1600ねん に よって たてられた.
Kono shiro wa 1600-nen ni yotte taterareta.
→ This castle was built in 1600.
ひと によって かんがえ が ちがう.
Hito ni yotte kangae ga chigau.
→ Opinions differ depending on the person.
として (As / In the role of)
Structure: N として
Indicates capacity, status, or role.
How to use: Attach to a noun.
💡 としては = 'as for X'
(viewpoint). としても = 'even
if'.
Examples
ともだち として アドバイス する.
Tomodachi to shite adobaisu suru.
→ I advise you as a friend.
しゃちょう として けってい した.
Shachō to shite kettei shita.
→ I decided as the company president.
