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Particle guide

Japanese particle explanations with examples.

Use these pages as a searchable reference, then open the app to see each particle inside story sentences.

Connects a complete list of nouns, marks companionship, or closes a quotation.

Marks the grammatical subject, often introducing new information or placing focus on who or what performs an action.

Marks the topic of a sentence and can also create contrast.

Marks movement in a direction. It is pronounced え when used as a particle.

Marks a destination, time, purpose, location of existence, recipient, or resulting state.

Marks the direct object affected by an action.

まで

Marks an endpoint, limit, or range, meaning up to, until, or as far as.

までに

Marks a deadline or point by which something happens.

から

Marks a starting point in space or time, or gives a reason when attached to a clause.

Marks where an action takes place, the means used, or a group acting together.

Links nouns to show possession, belonging, identity, or description.

のが

The のが combination consists of two distinct particles: の, which functions as a nominalizer to turn verbs or clauses into nouns, and が, which acts as the subject marker.

には

Combines に with は to mark a place, time, direction, or topic with extra emphasis or contrast.

Adds the meaning also, too, or even, often in the place where は or が is normally located.

Sentence-ending particle used to seek agreement, soften a statement, or share a feeling.

ために

Expresses purpose or benefit: for, for the sake of, or in order to.

という

Links a name, quotation, or description to a noun, often meaning called, known as, or that.

ので

Connects a reason to its result, meaning because or since, with a relatively explanatory or gentle tone.

Lists representative examples and implies that other items may also exist.