Japanese Particle Guide
Complete guide to Japanese particles with usage rules, examples, and common mistakes. Learn wa vs ga, ni vs de, and more.
Core Particles
は (wa)Topic marker — indicates the topic of the sentencepronounced wa
が (ga)Subject marker — identifies the subject or new informationfocus marker
を (o)Object marker — marks the direct object of a verbpronounced o
に (ni)Target / location / time — direction, indirect object, timemultipurpose
で (de)Location of action / means — where or how an action occursvs ni
へ (e)Direction marker — toward a destinationpronounced e
と (to)And / with — conjunction or accompanimentquotation too
の (no)Possession / attribution — noun linkingconnector
Wa vs Ga
私は学生ですI am a student (topic)
私が学生ですI am the student (focus)
象は鼻が長いElephants have long noses (double subject)
誰が来ますかWho is coming? (question subject)
Ni vs De
学校に行くGo to schoolni = destination
学校で勉強するStudy at schoolde = location of action
部屋にいるBe in the roomni = existence
部屋で寝るSleep in the roomde = action location