Complete guide to Japanese particles (助詞) with meanings, usage, and examples
topic marker
Marks the topic of the sentence
私は学生です。
I am a student.
subject marker
Marks the grammatical subject
猫がいます。
There is a cat.
also, too
Indicates something is also true
私も学生です。
I am also a student.
object marker
Marks the direct object of an action
本を読みます。
I read a book.
at, in, on, to
Indicates location, time, or destination
学校に行きます。
I go to school.
to, towards
Indicates direction or destination
東京へ行きます。
I go to Tokyo.
at, by, with
Indicates location of action or means
学校で勉強します。
I study at school.
from, since
Indicates starting point or reason
9時から始まります。
It starts from 9 o'clock.
until, to
Indicates endpoint
5時まで働きます。
I work until 5 o'clock.
and, with
Connects nouns or indicates accompaniment
友達と映画を見ます。
I watch a movie with a friend.
and (non-exhaustive)
Lists examples among other things
りんごやバナナを買いました。
I bought apples, bananas, and such.
or, question marker
Forms questions or indicates choice
コーヒーか紅茶はいかがですか。
Would you like coffee or tea?
possessive, of
Shows possession or modifies nouns
私の本です。
It's my book.
right?, isn't it?
Seeks agreement or confirmation
いい天気ですね。
Nice weather, isn't it?
emphasis, you know
Emphasizes or informs
明日は休みですよ。
Tomorrow is a day off, you know.
than, more than
Used in comparisons
夏より冬が好きです。
I like winter more than summer.
as much as, to the extent
Indicates degree or extent
彼ほど上手じゃない。
I'm not as good as him.
only, just
Indicates limitation
水だけ飲みます。
I drink only water.
only (with negative)
Indicates limitation (used with negative)
100円しかありません。
I only have 100 yen.
only, nothing but
Indicates excessive focus
ゲームばかりしています。
I do nothing but play games.
because, since
Indicates reason (softer than から)
雨なので行きません。
I won't go because it's raining.
although, despite
Indicates contradiction
勉強したのに、できませんでした。
Although I studied, I couldn't do it.
if, in case of
Conditional based on topic
日本に行くなら、京都がいいです。
If you're going to Japan, Kyoto is good.
even
Indicates extreme example
子供さえ知っています。
Even children know it.
precisely, exactly
Strong emphasis
これこそ私が欲しかったものです。
This is precisely what I wanted.
as is, unchanged
Indicates unchanged state
靴を履いたまま入りました。
I entered with my shoes still on.
only, just
Indicates limitation
一度きり会いました。
I met them only once.
each, apiece
Indicates equal distribution
一つずつ取ってください。
Please take one each.
per, due to
Indicates rate or reason (formal)
一人につき1000円です。
It's 1000 yen per person.
about, approximately
Indicates approximation
2時間くらいかかります。
It takes about 2 hours.
and so on, etc.
Lists examples
本など買いました。
I bought books and such.
called, quotation (casual)
Casual quotation or topic marker
田中さんって誰ですか。
Who is this person called Tanaka?
and, or something
Lists examples (casual)
りんごとかバナナとか買いました。
I bought apples, bananas, and stuff like that.
or something, even
Suggests an example
お茶でも飲みませんか。
Won't you have some tea or something?
doing things like
Lists sample actions
本を読んだり、音楽を聞いたりします。
I do things like reading books and listening to music.
while doing
Simultaneous actions
音楽を聞きながら勉強します。
I study while listening to music.
about, concerning
Indicates topic
日本について勉強します。
I study about Japan.
in, at (formal)
Indicates location (formal)
会議において決定されました。
It was decided at the meeting.
by, depending on
Indicates means or variation
人によって意見が違います。
Opinions differ depending on the person.
according to, by
Indicates source or cause
ニュースによる情報です。
It's information according to the news.
as, in the role of
Indicates capacity or role
先生として働いています。
I work as a teacher.
together with, as
Indicates accompaniment or progression
時間とともに良くなります。
It gets better with time.
towards, against
Indicates direction or opposition
先生に対して質問します。
I ask a question to the teacher.
regarding, concerning
Indicates topic
この問題に関して話します。
I'll talk regarding this problem.
emphasis (feminine)
Feminine sentence ending for emphasis
きれいだわ。
It's beautiful!
emphasis (masculine)
Masculine sentence ending for emphasis
行くぞ。
Let's go!
emphasis (masculine)
Masculine sentence ending for emphasis
すごいぜ。
That's amazing!
prohibition, emphasis
Prohibitive or emphatic ending
行くな。
Don't go!
emphasis, you know
Casual emphasis
いいさ。
It's fine, you know.
I wonder, was it?
Recalls information
何時だっけ。
What time was it again?
question (masculine)
Masculine question marker
行くかい。
Are you going?
question (masculine)
Masculine question marker
何だい。
What is it?
I wonder (feminine)
Feminine wondering
来るかしら。
I wonder if they'll come.
I wonder
Wondering or uncertainty
大丈夫かな。
I wonder if it's okay.
even if, no matter
Concessive
頑張ったって無理です。
Even if I try hard, it's impossible.
if, when (conditional)
Conditional with negative result
遅れては困ります。
It would be troublesome if you're late.
what is called, means
Defines or explains
愛とは何ですか。
What is love?
although, but
Indicates contradiction
行きたいものの、時間がない。
Although I want to go, I don't have time.
just about to, in the process
Indicates timing of action
今出かけるところです。
I'm just about to leave.
for, considering
Indicates unexpectedness
子供にしては上手です。
They're good for a child.
for, to
Indicates perspective
私にとって大切です。
It's important to me.
but, however
Casual conjunction
行きたいけど、時間がない。
I want to go, but I don't have time.
but, however
Formal conjunction
高いけれども、買います。
It's expensive, but I'll buy it.
copula (plain)
Plain form of です
学生だ。
I'm a student.
copula (polite)
Polite form of だ
学生です。
I'm a student.
sentence ending
Expresses emotion or reflection
いい天気だなあ。
What nice weather!
explanatory
Seeks or gives explanation
何をしているんですか。
What are you doing (I wonder)?
explanatory
Formal explanatory
遅れたのです。
The thing is, I was late.
honorific prefix
Makes words polite
お茶、ご飯
tea, rice (polite)
and, what's more
Lists reasons
安いし、おいしいし、最高です。
It's cheap, delicious, and the best.
as many as
Emphasizes large quantity
10個も買いました。
I bought as many as 10!
the one who/that
Emphasizes subject
好きなのは寿司だ。
What I like is sushi.
even though, despite
Criticizes despite condition
子供のくせに生意気だ。
Even though you're a child, you're cheeky.
reason, meaning
Indicates reason or conclusion
そういうわけで来ました。
That's why I came.
on top of, in addition
Adds additional information
安いうえに美味しい。
It's cheap and on top of that, delicious.
in the end, after all
After much trouble (negative)
悩んだあげく、辞めました。
After much worrying, I quit.
instead of
Indicates substitution
私のかわりに行ってください。
Please go instead of me.
thanks to
Positive result from cause
あなたのおかげで成功しました。
Thanks to you, I succeeded.
because of (negative)
Negative result from cause
雨のせいで遅れた。
I was late because of the rain.
must do
Strong command or rule
毎日勉強すること。
You must study every day.
from ~ to ~
Indicates range
夜から朝にかけて雨が降る。
It will rain from night to morning.
while, although
Indicates contradiction
知りながらも言わなかった。
Although I knew, I didn't say anything.
things like, such as
Casual listing or emphasis
私なんか無理です。
Someone like me can't do it.
even if, even though
Regardless of condition
冗談にしてもひどい。
Even if it's a joke, that's terrible.
for, in order to
Indicates purpose or requirement
合格するには勉強が必要だ。
In order to pass, studying is necessary.
have no choice but
Only option remaining
やるしかない。
I have no choice but to do it.
both ~ and ~
Lists multiple items
魚も食べれば肉も食べる。
I eat both fish and meat.
if by any chance
Hypothetical condition
もしも雨が降ったら中止です。
If by any chance it rains, it's cancelled.
if only, as long as
Sufficient condition
頑張りさえすれば大丈夫。
As long as you try hard, it'll be fine.
at, in (formal)
Formal location marker
会場にて開催します。
We will hold it at the venue.
only
Formal limitation
会員のみ入場可能。
Only members can enter.
because, you know
Gives reason (casual)
行けないもの。
I can't go, you know.
although, but
Indicates contradiction
行きたいものの、時間がない。
Although I want to go, I don't have time.
no way, as if
Strong denial
負けるものか。
No way I'll lose!
just as, no sooner than
Immediate succession
座るか座らないかのうちに寝た。
No sooner had I sat down than I fell asleep.
with, by means of
Formal means or time limit
本日をもって閉店します。
We will close as of today.
concerning, regarding
Indicates dispute or discussion topic
問題をめぐって議論した。
We debated concerning the problem.
prior to, before
Formal "before"
会議に先立って資料を配布します。
We will distribute materials prior to the meeting.
on the occasion of
Formal occasion marker
開会にあたって挨拶します。
I will give a greeting on the occasion of opening.
on the occasion of, when
Formal occasion or timing
出発に際して注意事項を確認してください。
Please confirm precautions when departing.
starting with, including
Lists representative examples
東京をはじめ、多くの都市で開催されます。
It will be held in many cities, starting with Tokyo.
concerning, surrounding
Indicates topic of dispute
環境問題をめぐる議論。
Debate surrounding environmental issues.
based on
Indicates basis or foundation
法律に基づいて判断します。
We will judge based on the law.
over, through
Indicates range or extent
夜から朝にかけて雨が降ります。
It will rain from night through morning.
over, throughout
Indicates duration or range
3年にわたって研究しました。
I researched over 3 years.
through, via
Indicates means or duration
一年を通じて暖かい。
It's warm throughout the year.
through, throughout
Indicates means or medium
経験を通して学びました。
I learned through experience.
regardless of
Indicates irrelevance
天気にかかわらず開催します。
We will hold it regardless of weather.
starting with, including
Lists representative items
日本をはじめとするアジア諸国。
Asian countries including Japan.
triggered by, as a result of
Indicates trigger or opportunity
事故をきっかけに安全対策を強化した。
We strengthened safety measures triggered by the accident.
along with, as
Indicates accompaniment or consequence
経済発展に伴って環境問題が増えた。
Environmental problems increased along with economic development.
as, in proportion to
Indicates proportional change
年を取るにつれて忘れっぽくなる。
As you age, you become more forgetful.
according to, depending on
Indicates correspondence
能力に応じて給料が決まります。
Salary is determined according to ability.
contrary to, against
Indicates opposition
予想に反して失敗した。
Contrary to expectations, it failed.
despite, in spite of
Strong contradiction
努力したにもかかわらず失敗した。
Despite my efforts, I failed.
not only, let alone
Emphasizes addition
英語ばかりか中国語も話せる。
I can speak not only English but also Chinese.
not to mention, of course
Emphasizes inclusion
日本語はもちろん英語も話せます。
I can speak English, not to mention Japanese.
let alone, not to mention
Emphasizes extreme case
漢字はおろかひらがなも読めない。
I can't read hiragana, let alone kanji.
far from, let alone
Indicates opposite extreme
楽しいどころか苦痛だった。
Far from enjoyable, it was painful.
and, in addition
Adds information (formal)
美しいに違いない。
It must be beautiful.
emphasis (masculine)
Masculine emphasis
そうさ。
That's right!
because, since
Gives reason (formal)
急いでいたもので失礼しました。
I was in a hurry, so I apologize.
whether ~ or ~
Uncertainty about alternatives
行くのやら行かないのやら。
Whether they'll go or not...
although, even though
Formal concession
遅いこそあれ、来ないことはない。
Although late, they will come.
far from, let alone
Emphasizes opposite
減りこそすれ増えはしない。
Far from increasing, it's decreasing.
although, but
Formal contradiction
努力はしたこそすれ、成功しなかった。
Although I made efforts, I didn't succeed.
or, whether
Presents alternatives
電話なりメールなりで連絡してください。
Please contact me by phone or email.
even, at least
Minimum amount
一日なりとも休みたい。
I want to rest even just one day.
either ~ or ~
Presents choices
行くなり帰るなり決めてください。
Please decide whether to go or return.
even
Emphasizes extreme example
名前すら知らない。
I don't even know their name.
no matter how much
Emphasizes futility
いくら頑張っても無理だ。
No matter how hard I try, it's impossible.
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