Particles 助詞

67 particles · Case · Focus · Conjunctive · Final · Adverbial · Compound

Case Particles (格助詞)

10 particles

Focus Particles (取り立て助詞)

13 particles
Topic MarkerwaMarks the topic of the sentence — what is being talked about. Also used for contrast between two items.n5Also / Even / ToomoIndicates 'also', 'too', or 'even'. Replaces は, が, を when adding similar items.n5こそEmphasis / IndeedkosoAdds strong emphasis to the preceding element, meaning 'precisely', 'indeed', or 'is the very thing'.n3さえEven / As Little AssaeIndicates 'even' for extremes or minimum conditions. 〜さえ〜ば means 'if only〜'.n2でもEven / Or SomethingdemoIndicates 'even' for a representative example or 'or something like that' for casual suggestions.n5しかOnly (with negative)shikaMeans 'only' but always requires a negative verb at the end of the clause. Emphatic and restrictive.n5だけOnly / Just / As Much AsdakeIndicates limitation ('only') or extent ('as much as'). Neutral and factual compared to しか.n5ばかりOnly / Just / Full OfbakariIndicates that something is all there is (biased quantity), just happened, or is about to happen.n4くらいAbout / Approximately / ExtentkuraiIndicates approximate quantity ('about') or the extent of something ('to the degree that').n4ほどExtent / Degree / The MorehodoIndicates degree or extent, often used in comparisons. More objective than くらい.n3などEtcetera / Such AsnadoIndicates non-exhaustive listing ('etc.', 'and so on') or downplays the value of something.n4きりOnly / Just / SincekiriIndicates 'only' with a sense of finality, or marks the last time something happened (since then, never).n2のみOnly (formal)nomiThe formal/literary equivalent of だけ meaning 'only'. Used in official writing, announcements, and set phrases.n2

Conjunctive Particles (接続助詞)

13 particles
Connective / And / SoteConnects verbs and adjectives in series (〜て, 'and then'), or expresses reason/cause. The most versatile conjunctive particle.n5ながらWhile / AlthoughnagaraIndicates two simultaneous actions ('while doing') with a single subject, or 'although' in concessive patterns.n4つつWhile (formal) / DespitetsutsuFormal/literary version of ながら. Expresses simultaneous action or a concessive meaning with つつも.n2And / And Also / BesidesshiLists reasons or attributes, implying 'and besides'. Often used to give multiple reasons for something.n4たりDoing Such Things AstariLists representative actions or states using 〜たり〜たりする, implying other similar things are also true.n5If / When (Conditional)baExpresses a conditional 'if/when' where the result follows naturally. The most standard conditional form.n4たらIf / When / AftertaraA versatile conditional meaning 'if/when/after' with fewer restrictions than ば. Used for specific situations.n5When / WhenevertoA conditional particle meaning 'when/whenever' that indicates automatic, natural consequences.n4てもEven If / AlthoughtemoA concessive conditional meaning 'even if' or 'even though'. Combines て with も.n5のにAlthough / DespitenoniExpresses contrast: 'although', 'despite', 'even though'. Implies disappointment, surprise, or unexpectedness.n3のでBecause / SincenodeExpresses reason or cause in a softer, more objective way than から. Often preferred in polite speech.n3からBecause (reason)karaGives a reason or cause, with the main clause stating the result. More personal and subjective than ので.n5ながらもEven Though / DespitenagaramA concessive form of ながら meaning 'even though' or 'despite'. More formal and literary than けど/が.n2

Sentence-Final Particles (終助詞)

16 particles
Question Marker / OrkaMarks a question at the end of a sentence. Also used between nouns to mean 'or'.n5Softener / Right? / Isn't It?neSoftens statements, seeks agreement, or confirms shared knowledge between speaker and listener.n5Emphasis / AssertionyoAdds emphasis or assertiveness to a statement. Presents new information or corrects the listener.n5よねRight? (emphatic)yoneA combination of よ (emphasis) and ね (seeking agreement). Seeks confirmation with a sense of assertion.n5Don't! (prohibition) / EmphasisnaA sentence-ending particle used as a casual prohibition ('don't do') or as emphatic confirmation.n4なあEmotional Emphasis / SighnaaAn emotional version of な expressing admiration, longing, regret, or thoughtful emphasis.n4Emphatic Assertion (masculine)zoStrong assertive particle used mostly by men. Can indicate determination, warning, or self-talk.n4Emphatic Suggestion (masculine)zeA masculine sentence-ending particle used to assert something or make a casual invitation.n4Soft Assertion (feminine)waA sentence-ending particle historically used by women to soften assertions. Usage varies by region and generation.n3かなI Wonder / MaybekanaExpresses uncertainty, wondering, or mild questioning. Equivalent to 'I wonder' or 'maybe'.n4かしらI Wonder (feminine)kashiraFeminine version of かな, expressing wonder, uncertainty, or a question. Traditionally used by women.n3Casual Question / ExplanationnoUsed at the end of sentences for casual questions (rising tone) or explanatory statements (falling tone).n4ものかNo Way / As IfmonokaA strong negative rhetorical question meaning 'there's no way', 'as if I would', expressing strong emotion.n2ともOf Course / CertainlytomoExpresses strong affirmation ('of course', 'certainly') or a concessive 'even if' when layered with other particles.n2っけI Recall / Was It?kkeUsed when trying to recall information or confirming something that was forgotten. 'Was it〜?', 'I recall〜'.n3Emphatic (Kanto / Rough)iA rough, masculine emphasis particle used in Kanto and surrounding regions. Adds a blunt, forceful tone.n3

Adverbial Particles (副助詞)

1 particles

Compound Particles

14 particles
によってDepending On / By / Due ToniyotteIndicates the agent in passive sentences, cause/reason, or variation depending on circumstance.n3についてRegarding / AboutnitsuiteIndicates the topic of discussion, thought, or research — 'regarding', 'concerning', 'about'.n3にとってFor / To (Perspective)nitotteExpresses a perspective or opinion: 'for X', 'from X's point of view', 'to X'.n3に対してTowards / Against / PernitaishiteIndicates direction of an action, feeling, or attitude towards something. Also means 'per' in ratios.n2に関するRegarding / Related TonikansuruIndicates a relation or connection between two things: 'regarding', 'related to', 'concerning'.n2に基づいてBased On / According TonimotozuiteIndicates a basis, foundation, or standard that something is based on: 'based on', 'according to'.n2を通じてThrough / ThroughoutwotsuujiteIndicates a medium, channel, period, or means: 'through', 'throughout', 'via' something.n2としてAs / In The Capacity OftoshiteIndicates a role, capacity, or qualification: 'as', 'in the role of'.n3に伴ってAlong With / AsnitomonatteIndicates a change that accompanies or results from another change: 'along with', 'as', 'with'.n2に従ってAccording To / AsnishitagatteExpresses following rules/instructions ('according to') or parallel change ('as〜changes').n2をはじめIncluding / Starting WithwohajimeIndicates a primary example followed by others of the same category: 'including', 'starting with'.n2に加えてIn Addition TonikuwaeteExpresses addition: 'in addition to', 'along with', 'plus'. More formal than だけでなく.n2にかわってInstead Of / On Behalf OfnikawatteIndicates substitution or representation: 'instead of', 'on behalf of', 'in place of'.n2のもとでUnder / Under The Leadership OfnomotodeIndicates being under someone's authority, leadership, or influence, or in a certain condition.n2
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