Lesson 3Particles
Now, let's learn about "particles" !
Particles are the key grammatical element to understand Japanese sentences.
What are particles ?
Case 1They are similar to "prepositions" (to, on, at, for...) in English. But in Japanese, they are placed after the related word.
Examples
くるま で
by car
The particle で indicates that the preceding word is the "means of transportation". So, you can translate it as "by".
かぞく と
with family
The particle と indicates accompaniment. So you can translate it as "with" someone.
3 じ に
at 3 o'clock
One particle could have several meanings. For example, the particle に could indicate "time and date" or "destination"... It depends on the context of the sentence.
にほん に
to Japan
Case 2The particles indicate what role the preceding word plays in a sentence.
This function does not exist in English ! That means there is NO direct translation in English for this use of particle.
Examples : は
のりこ は
せんせい
です
Noriko is a teacher.
This is a very commonly used particle. It indicates that the preceding word is the "Subject / Topic" of the sentence.
More specifically, the particle は(wa) indicates "the topic" of the sentence. It may be translated as "Regarding..." or "Concerning..." in English. However, "the topic" of Japanese sentences could often correspond to the "subject" in the English translation. Click here for examples.
Examples : を
わたしは
おんがく を
ききます
I listen to the music.
This particle indicates the direct object of the sentence. Again, there is NO direct translation in English for this use of particle.
Rhythm of speaking
Tip ! When you are speaking, add a small pause after every particle. It makes the sentence flow and sound more natural !
わたし は
ともだち と
レストラン で
すし を
たべました
I ate sushi with friends in a restaurant.
List of frequently used particles
particles
Meanings / Examples
de
1 - Tools or means of transportation, language, etc.
でんしゃで
いきます
I go by train.
ペンで
かきます
I write with a pen.
にほんごで
はなします
I speak in Japanese.
2 - Place of action : "in", "at" - Click here for more.
こうえんで
ほん を
よみます
I read a book in a park.
ぎんこうで
はたらきます
I work in a bank.
e
Destination (more formal than the particle に), direction.
オーストラリアへ
いきました
I went to Australia.
ga
1 - Subject
えいがが
はじまります
The movie starts.
2 - Object of preference, skills/ability, desire etc - Click here for more.
チョコレートが
すきです
I like chocolate.
3 - "Even though" "but " - Click here for more.
なつですが
すずしいです
It's summer, but it's cool.
kara
1 - Starting point : "from"
ここから
5ふん かかります
It takes 5 minutes from here.
9じから
テレビ を
みます
I watch TV from 9 o'clock.
2 - Reason : "because" - Click here for more.
やすい ですから
かいます
Because it's cheap, I buy it.
びょうき でした から
Because I was sick.
made
Ending point : "until", "to"
5じまで
はたらきます
I work until 5 o'clock.
うちから
がっこうまで
あるきました
I walked from my place to the school.
mo
"too", "also"
わたしも
にほんじん です
I am Japanese too.
ne
"right ?", "isn't it ?" (Fix at the end of the sentence)
きょうは
あつい です ね
Today is hot, isn't it ?
ni
1 - Hours, date : "at", "on"
6じはんに
はじまります
It starts at 6:30.
2 - Indirect Object : "to" someone, "from" someone
つま に
はな を
あげました
I gave flowers to my wife.
スーザンに
おかね を
かりました
I borrowed money from Susan.
3 - Location (use with verbs あります / います) - Click here for more.
にわに
いぬ が
います
There is a dog in the yard.
4 - Destination, direction, space you reach : "into", "to","towards" - Click here for more.
とうきょうに
いきます
I go to Tokyo.
くるまに
のります
I get into a car.
no
"of" - Click here for more.
これは
わたしの カメラ です
This is my camera (camera of me).
o
Direct Object - Click here for more.
コーヒーを
のみました
I drank a coffee.
to
1 - Accompaniment : "with" someone (or animal)
かぞくと
たべました
I had a meal with my family.
2 - Complete list of nouns : "and" - Click here for more.
りんご と バナナ を
かいました
I bought apples and bananas.
toka
Incomplete list : "and… etc." More casual than や - Click here for more.
りんごとかバナナ を
かいました
I bought apples and bananas etc.
ya
Incomplete list of nouns : "and… etc." - Click here for more.
りんご や バナナ を
かいました
I bought apples and bananas etc.
yo
"you know…", "I tell you" (Fix at the end of the sentence)
これ は
おいしい です よ
This is delicious, you know.
wa
1 - Subject
G.ワシントンは
ゆうめい です
George Washington is famous.
2 - Topic
この くるま は
きょねん かいました
Regarding this car, I bought it last year.
3 - Emphasize the contrast
いぬは
すき ですが
ねこは
きらい です
I like dogs, on the other hand, I don't like cats.
How to use the particle の ?
The particle の(no) is a very frequently used particle. の(no) placed between two nouns links those two nouns. It functions like "of" in English.
A の B
But the translation would be B of A, not A of B
You should always translate the second noun first !
トヨタのしゃちょう
President of Toyota
にほんごのがっこう
School of Japanese language
→ Japanese language school
If の(no) is preceded by human (or animal...), it indicates "ownership" or "belonging to".
わたしのくるま
car of me → my car
あに の むすめ
daughter of my brother
→ my brother's daughter
If you want to say just "mine", "yours" or "Noriko's"...., omit the second noun.
わたしのＢ
B of me → mine
あなたのＢ
B of you → yours
のりこのＢ
B of Noriko → Noriko's
Example sentences using the particle の
のりこ は
にほんごのせんせい
です
Noriko is a Japanese teacher.
わたしのなまえ は
のりこ です
My name is Noriko.
マイク は
ニンテンドーのゲーム
が すき です
Mike likes the game of Nintendo.
これ は
わたしの
です
This is mine.
In which case do you use に or で for the location ?
Case 1
Destination / direction. The place you go to. When using a verb that describes moving towards something (go, come, enter, get into, etc...)
Case 2When indicating the location in a sentence with the verb, あります or います.
Example sentences using the particle に
にほんに
いきます
go (verb of moving) to Japan.
うちに
かえります
go back (verb of moving) to home.
うちに
コンピューター が あります
There is (verb ari-masu) a computer at home.
Case 1
When it is not the destination. When using a verb that describes not moving towards something (eat, study, read, sing, speak, etc...)
Case 2When indicating the location of the event in a sentence using the verb あります.
Example sentences using the particle で
うちで
テレビ を みます
I watch (not a verb of moving) TV at home.
にほんで
にほんご を べんきょうします
I study (not a verb of moving) Japanese in Japan.
シカゴで
じこ が ありました
There was an accident (an event) in Chicago.
シドニーで
コンサート が あります
There is a concert (an event) in Sydney.
Difference between と and や when listing nouns
When you want to list nouns (not verbs or adjectives !), use the particle と(to) or や(ya).と(to) is used when listing everything, while や(ya) is used when listing only part of things. In a daily conversation, とか(toka) is often used instead of や(ya). とか(toka) is more casual than や(ya).
Example sentences using the particle と and や
あそこ に
ペン と ほん
があります
There is a pen and a book over there.
あそこ に
ペン や ほん など
があります
There is a pen and a book etc. over there.
など(nado) can be added after listing things using や(ya). など(nado) means "etc." but や(ya) already carries the nuance of "etc." Therefore, adding など(nado) is optional.
1 - When you want to list verbs or adjectives, you can not use the particle と(to). You have to use て(te) form of verbs or adjectives to list them.
2 - You can not start a sentece with the particle と(to) in order to mean "And...". For this purpose, you should use a linking word such as そして(soshite) or それから(sorekara).
Difference between が and を (direct object)
What is the direct object ?
The direct object is the word which answers the question "What?" or "Who?" in the sentence. Generally, it comes after the verb without a preposition.
Examples
1 - I watch TV at home.
What do I watch ? → TV
So, "TV" is the direct object of this sentence.
2 - Dennis saw Jennifer yesterday.
Who did Dennis see ? → Jennifer
So, "Jennifer" is the direct object of this sentence.
Normally, the particle を(o) is used to indicate the direct object in the sentence. But, in some cases, you should use the particle が instead of を(o). Let's learn here 3 main cases as follows:
Case 1When you talk about the preference.
いぬ を が
すきです
I like dogs.
やさい を が
きらいです
I don't like vegetables.
→ talking about the preference
Case 2When you talk about the skill, ability, possibility.
ピアノ が
じょうずです
I play well the piano. (I am good at piano.)
→ talking about the skill
でんわ で
よやく が
できますか
Is it possible to make a reservation by phone ?
→ talking about the possibility
ドイツご が
わかります
I understand German.
→ talking about the ability
Case 3When you talk about the the desire, hope (The Japanese word for
"I want..." and "I would like..." is the same).
くるま が
ほしいです
I want to have a car.
With this expression « verb + tai desu », both を(o) and が(ga) can be used for the direct object.
→ talking about the desire
This rule only applies to the particle を(o). All other particles (に(ni), で(de), と(to) etc.）don't change.
にほん に
いきたいです
I want to go to Japan.
We are finished with particles !
Now, let's take a look at adjectives !