Basic Japanese Particles
A list of a few basic Japanese particles with examples
The Small post-pre-positional thingies : Particles
If you are confused with particles, don't worry - you are not alone. My advice is to open your ears to hear usage, practice using known examples, and improvise a lot!
は |
- This is the topic marker. Used when changing or refreshing topics in conversation わたしは watashi wa - 'I' The 'I' is the big idea of what is being talked about. Always translated as 'I' never 'me' since it isn't the object |
が |
This is the subject marker. The one doing the action. |
を |
This is the direct object marker.The thing acted upon . コーヒをのみます。 kouhi o nomimasu (I) drink coffee . |
へ |
This is a directional marker. to, toward 東京へいきます。 toukyou e ikimasu (I) am going to Tokyo . ( can also use に; note although this is hiragana he, it is often pronounced as 'e') |
に |
This is a multipurpose marker: 1) indirect object (receiver) 本をあなた に あげます。 hon o anata ni agemasu (I) give you a book . 2) place where something is going to 東京 に いきます。 toukyou ni ikimasu (I) am going to Tokyo . ( can also use へ ) 3) time (at, in) ７時 に しゅっぱつ。 shichi ji ni shuppatsu (I) will leave at 7 . 4) in/at a place 東京 に すんでいます。 toukyou ni sundeimasu (I) live in Tokyo . 5) purpose (to) コーヒ に しましょう。 kouhi ni shimashou - Let's have coffee . |
で |
1) by means of くるま で いきましょう 。 kuruma de ikimashou Let's go by (means of) car . 2) place where the action happens いえで テレビを みます 。 ie de terebi o mimasu (I) watch tv at home . 3) cause, reason たいふうで 木が たおれました。 taifuu de ki ga taoremashita - Because of the typhoon , a tree fell. |
An Excellent book on the subject:
All About Particles
A Highly recommended book on the ins and outs of those troublesome particles - wa, ga, o, ni and much more.
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pronunciation of 'ha' は？
What is the rule/guideline for the pronunciation of は? As a particle it is 'wa', but, in はい ('hai' for yes) and は ('ha' for leaf), it is pronounced 'ha.'
^.^ ありがとう
は is always pronounced 'ha'
は is always pronounced 'ha' except for when you are using は in its particle form, then it is pronounced 'wa'.
wa and ha
when you use は as a subject, you pronounce 'wa'
ex: i am a student わたしは（watashi wa）学生です。
勉強がんばってねー。