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Essential Particles

Quick reference guide for the 13 most common Japanese particles (ๅŠฉ่ฉž).

โœจ Tap any particle or example sentence to hear the pronunciation!

Core Markers

ใฏ
Topic (wa)
Introduces the main topic of the sentence.
As for this, it is a book.
ใŒ
Subject (ga)
Focuses on the specific subject/actor.
It is raining. (Focus on 'rain')
ใ‚’
Direct Object (o)
Marks the direct object of a verb.
I drink water.
ใซ
Destination/Time (ni)
Marks target, destination, or specific time.
I am going to Japan.
ใง
Location/Method (de)
Where an action happens or the tool used.
I go to school by bus.
ใ‚‚
Too / Also (mo)
Indicates addition (replaces wa, ga, o).
I am also a student.

Logic & Connection

ใ‹ใ‚‰
From / Because (kara)
Marks start point or states a reason.
Because I'm busy, I can't go.
ใฎใง
Because / Since (node)
Logical reason (more polite than kara).
Since it was raining, I was late.
ใ ใ‘
Only / Just (dake)
Sets a limit to the quantity or scope.
I only speak Japanese.
ใฆ
Connector (te)
Te-form used to link actions together.
I eat and (then) sleep.

Questions & Nuance

ใ‹
Question / Or (ka)
Marks a question or provides an alternative.
I buy a book or a magazine.
ใญ
Agreement (ne)
Seeking agreement. Like "..., isn't it?".
Nice weather, isn't it?
ใ‚ˆ
Emphasis (yo)
Asserting new info or strong opinion.
Tomorrow is a holiday (I'm tellin' ya)!