Learn ALL Japanese Particles in 1 Hour Basic Japanese Grammar

Want to speak real Japanese from your first lesson? Sign up for your free lifetime account at JapanesePod101.com. Hi, everyone! Welcome to the Ultimate Japanese Particle Guide. Particles are a very important part of the Japanese language. The particles used in a sentence give us critical information about the meaning. So, if the wrong particles are used, the whole meaning of the sentence could change. That's why it's very important to know how to use the different particles in Japanese. The word for particle in Japanese is... In this series, we'll go over the main particles one by one. In this lesson, you'll learn the particle は. This particle is often referred to as the topic particle because it comes after the topic of the sentence and tells the listener what the sentence is about. We can translate this as as for or speaking of in English. Let's see how it functions in a sentence. This means, as for tomorrow, it's Saturday. Let's break it down. Notice that the particle is placed after the topic of the sentence. Then we have... This is the copula which is the equivalent to is, am, or are in English. So literally, it means, as for tomorrow, Saturday is. But of course, in natural speech, we'd say, tomorrow is Saturday. There's an important point to remember about this particle's pronunciation. This particle is written as the hiragana は. However, when used as a particle, it is always pronounced わ. Now let's take a look at a few more examples. Literally, as for your hometown, where is it? Or, where are you from? Literally, as for today, it's rainy. Or, it's rainy today. Literally, as for Okinawa, it's hot. Or, it's hot in Okinawa. We can also use this particle to show contrast between two items or ideas. When we use it in this way, we mark the two items being contrasted with わ. How does it work? For example, if you want to contrast the object of a sentence, we replace the particle を or が with わ. This will make more sense when you hear some examples. So, can we hear an example? This means, I eat fish, but I don't eat meat. Please note that the topic, I, as in, I eat, is implied in this sentence. Let's examine our example sentence closely. First, let's start with the original sentences. Risa, how do you say, I eat fish? The object, which in this case is what I eat, is 魚. So, 魚 is marked by the particle を. Okay, and how do we say, I don't eat meat? The negative form of 食べます is 食べません. So, 肉を食べません。 If I add a topic, it will be, 私は肉を食べません。 So, now to contrast these two sentences, we replace the particle を with わ. So, that gives us, 魚は食べます。でも、肉は食べません。 でも means but. So, by using わ in this sentence, we are putting a lot of contrast between the two items. I eat fish, but I don't eat meat. Along with the particle を, the particle が can also be replaced with わ to show contrast. In English, we often show this same kind of contrast through intonation. Let's take a look at a few more examples. I have time, but I don't have money. 犬は好きです。でも、猫は嫌いです。 I like dogs, but I don't like cats. アイスクリームは好きです。でも、ケーキは嫌いです。 I like ice cream, but I don't like cake. In this lesson, you learned about the particle わ. In this lesson, you learned the particle が. This particle is often referred to as the subject particle. It can also mark the object for certain verbs and adjectives. As a subject particle, it indicates existence. Right, so が is often used with あります and います, meaning to have or to exist. Let's see how it functions in a sentence. This means, there's a convenience store over there. Let's break it down. Over there. Convenience store. This is the particle marking the subject. This is the verb to talk about the existence of something. Just like we'd say, there is or there are in English. Remember that to talk about the existence of animate things, such as people and animals, you should use When some people pronounce this particle, it can sound nasally. Right, it sounds like が. Both が and が are acceptable. So don't worry too much. Now let's take a look at a few more examples. Literally, it means, there is a pet. But it actually means, I have a pet. Literally, it means, there is homework or I have homework. This sentence is negative and it literally means, there aren't any siblings. Which is like saying, I don't have any siblings. We can also use this particle to mark an object of desire with certain verbs or adjectives. Right. For example, we can mark the object of an adjective of desire, such as 欲しいです。 I want. Or the stem of a verb plus たいです. Which means, I want to verb. Let's see how it functions in a sentence. This means, I want time. Let's break it down. Which means, I is the topic or subject of this sentence. So it's marked by the particle Please note that the 私は part is often omitted since 欲しい is used only in the first person. Then we have the object, what the speaker wants. Notice that the particle marking the object is. Finally, we have This is an adjective and means, I want. Let's give an example with a verb. By using the stem of a verb plus たい, you can say I want to drink tea. As you can see, the object お茶 is marked by が. And がしたいです. Or the key patterns to remember. Let's take a look at a few more examples. 私はピンクの車が欲しいです。 I want a pink car. 私は蕎麦が食べたいです。 I want to eat buckwheat noodles. 私は水が飲みたいです。 I want to drink water. In this lesson, you learned about the particle が. In this lesson, you learned the particle を. This particle is often referred to as the object particle or object marker because it usually comes after the direct object of an action. Let's see how it functions in a sentence. Risa, how do you say, to eat? Now, for eat, you need an object. The thing you eat is known as the object of the sentence. For example, say you eat sushi. So the object is sushi, and it has to be followed by the object particle. Then add the verb. This means, to eat sushi. Risa, can you also add the subject of the sentence and say, I eat sushi? Sure. Great. Let's try it with another verb. How do you say, to make? How do we say, to make curry? The object is curry, followed by the object marker, it's... Okay, and now let's put the subject. Let's say, John makes curry. Some textbooks spell this particle as W-O. Risa, how do we spell and pronounce this particle? The object marking particle is in the last row of the hiragana chart. It sounds like the regular O, as in A, I, U, E, O. That's why we spell it O. Now, let's take a look at a few more examples. I'll take medicine. Please give me this one. I bought a new car. This particle can also be used to indicate the place of movement, in addition to being used as an object marking particle. In this usage, it is used with verbs that describe motion, to walk, to fly, to cross, to turn, and so on. In Japanese, these verbs are arukimasu, tobimasu, watarimasu, magarimasu, among others. Let's see how it functions in a sentence. For example, how do you say, to walk through the park? To cross a bridge? Notice how the particle marks the place where the movement takes place. Through the park was... Bridge was... Here is another example. This means, please turn at that corner. Is the movement. Where it takes place, that corner is marked by O. Let's take a look at a few more examples. A turtle swims in the sea. A cicada climbs up a tree. He crosses the intersection. In this lesson, you learned about the particle, O. Be sure to like the video and subscribe, so that you don't miss all of the Japanese lessons that are coming soon. And if you want to learn even faster, go to JapanesePod101.com and sign up for your free lifetime account to unlock the ultimate Japanese particle guide, the complete video course on particles. Click the link in the lesson description to get your free lifetime account right now. In the next lesson, you'll learn about the particle, E. See you in the next lesson. Bye. Hi everyone. Welcome to the ultimate Japanese particle guide. In this lesson, you learned the particle, E. This particle is often referred to as the direction particle, because it usually indicates a direction or goal. Let's see how it functions in a sentence. Risa, how do you say, to go? And, to go to Mexico? Notice how the destination, Mexico, is marked by the direction marking particle. So, to the airport would be? How do you say then, go to the airport? Let's make a full sentence using this phrase. This means, does this go to the airport? There's an important thing to remember about this particle's pronunciation. When the hiragana character for he is part of a word, it's pronounced he. But when it's used as a particle, it's pronounced e. Now, let's take a look at a few more examples. I'm going home. Welcome to Japan. I'm going to go to a hot spring with my friends. This particle can also mark the recipient of an action. Let's see how it functions in a sentence. For example, how do you say, I called my friend? First, we have the recipient of the action, marked by the particle. Then we have the action, I called. Let's see the same sentence with a different recipient. For example, I called my mother. Also, in this case, the recipient of the action is marked by the particle. Let's take a look at a few more examples. I emailed my friend. I sent him a letter. The director talks to his subordinates. In this lesson, you learned about the particle e. In this lesson, you learned the particle ni. This particle is often referred to as the location particle or time particle, because it's mainly used to indicate a location, time, time duration, movement, or purpose. Let's first see the location marking function. In this case, the particle ni indicates existence. This means that it marks the location where a person or thing exists. It can follow either a concrete or an abstract place. Right, so ni is often used with arimasu and imasu, meaning to have or to exist. Let's see how it functions in a sentence. This means, there's a police officer at the station. Let's break it down. First, what is, there's a police officer? How do we express the location at the station? Notice that the location is followed by the particle. Along with the two main verbs that express existence, this particle is often used with certain verbs such as... and... For example, how do you say, Ken lives in London? Let's take a look at a few more examples. Ken works for a bank. There's a cat under the table. There's a convenience store on the right side. As a time marker, this particle indicates a point in time when something takes place. It's equivalent to in, on, or at in English. Unlike English, we can use ni with various time expressions. In English, the preposition we use changes depending on the expression we use. For example, we say, at 7 o'clock, because we use at with time, on Monday, because we use on with dates of the week, and in June, because we use in with months, and so on. In Japanese, ni covers all of these time expressions. How do you say, at 7 o'clock? How would you say, on Monday? How do you say, I wake up at 7 o'clock? How do you say, I'll leave on Monday? Be careful, this particle cannot follow relative time expressions. Right. Words such as... ...next year cannot be marked by the particle ni. Let's take a look at a few more examples. I'm going to Japan in June. I clean on Monday. I have an appointment at 5 o'clock. In this lesson, you learned about the particle, ni. In this lesson, you learned the particle, de. This particle is often referred to as the location particle or means particle, because it's mainly used to mark locations, the means of doing something, materials something is made from, or a reason for something. Let's first see the location marking function. In this case, the particle, de, marks where an action takes place. Let's see how it functions in a sentence. This means, let's meet in Tokyo, or see you in Tokyo. Let's break it down. First, what is see you? How do we express the location in Tokyo? Notice that the location is followed by the particle. Be careful, this particle can't be used with the verbs that express existence. Right, you cannot use de with the verbs... The location for those verbs has to be marked by ni. Let's take a look at a few more examples. I study Japanese at school. I buy bread at the supermarket. I went skiing in Hokkaido. As a means marker, this particle indicates the means or material we use to do something. This is the equivalent of by or with in English. It can also mark the material something is made of or from. It's the equivalent of with, from, or out of in English. De is also used to mark the means of transportation. Let's start with some examples with means of transportation. Sure, densha is train. So, densha de is by train. Basu is bus. So, basu de is by bus. How do you say, I go to school by bus? Now, let's see the particle when marking the instrument or tool used to do something. This means, I cut fruit with a knife. The means is expressed by the phrase, with a knife, which in Japanese is... Also, languages are a tool, a communication tool. So, we can easily guess that we need to use the same particle when saying in English or in Japanese. Risa, how do you say, please say it in English? In English is... Like we mentioned before, this particle also marks the material something is made of or from. It's equivalent to with, from, or out of in English. Let's hear an example. This means, I made a table out of wood. Ki is tree or wood. So, kide means from wood or out of wood. Let's take a look at a few more examples with the same particle used as means marker. It is made with wheat. I make an omelet with a frying pan. I eat sushi with my hands. In this lesson, you learned about the particle. Be sure to like the video and subscribe so that you don't miss all of the Japanese lessons that are coming soon. And if you want to learn even faster, go to JapanesePod101.com and sign up for your free lifetime account to unlock the ultimate Japanese particle guide, the complete video course on particles. Click the link in the lesson description to get your free lifetime account right now. In the next lesson, you'll learn about the particle. See you in the next lesson. Bye. Hi, everyone. Welcome to the ultimate Japanese particle guide. In this lesson, you learned the particle. This particle is often referred to as the modifying particle because we use it between two nouns to indicate that the first noun modifies the second noun. One of the main usages of の is showing possession. It's like the possessive or the word of in English. Let's see how it functions in a sentence. How do you say Risa's as in belongs to Risa? So then how would you say, for example, Risa's pen? Great. So then how would you say Alisha's? And Alisha's computer is Alisha no computer. So how about my? Means I or me. So, Watashi no is my. For example, how do you say this is my computer? Please note that Risa no, Alisha no can mean Risa's, Alisha's too. Also can mean mine. Good point. When it's obvious what the first noun possesses, the second noun can be left out. For example, how do you say this is mine? Let's take a look at a few more examples. Is this your bag, Alisha? I like Van Gogh's paintings. Taro's story is a lie. From a broader perspective, this particle marks the category, origin, material, or any attribute of the noun that follows. Let's see some examples. This literally means teacher of English. So, English teacher. Let's see a sample sentence. Literally, it means he is a teacher of English. This literally means flower of cherry. So, cherry blossom. Let's see a sample sentence. The cherry blossom bloomed. Note that this particle can be used multiple times. For example, my friend's name is Yuko is... Let's take a look at a few more examples with the same particle used as a category marker. I like Japanese cars. Are you free this Sunday? Mr. Tanaka's idea is interesting. In this lesson, you learned about the particle... In this lesson, you learned the particle... This particle is often referred to as the connecting particle because we use it to connect two or more elements. You can use this particle to make a complete list of two or more nouns. It comes after every noun in the list except the last one. Let's illustrate it with some examples. How do you say A and B? Here, the particle was inserted between the two, just like and in English. Now, how would we say A, B, and C? Note that the particle was inserted between each word. Let's keep going. How do you say A, B, C, and D? So again, we put the particle between each word. This is different from English. In English, we put the word and only between the last two nouns. But in Japanese, to comes after every noun except the last one. So can we hear a sample sentence? This means, could I have a hamburger, french fries, and a coke, please? Let's hear the list again. We just learned that the particle comes after every noun in the list except the last one. Actually, in everyday life, many Japanese people omit it. It's very common to hear... Let's take a look at a few more examples. I like meat and fish. I bought a cake and chocolates. Milk and cheese are dairy products. This particle also has the meaning of together or with. It's used to show involvement, that an action was done together with someone. Let's see some examples. This means, John saw a movie with Yoko. Let's hear with Yoko again. Let's take a look at a few more examples with the same particle when it means with. Tomorrow, I'll go on a date with Minami. Minami is always playing with cats. I had a meal with Mr. Tanaka. In this lesson, you learned about the particle... This particle is often referred to as the question particle because it usually comes at the end of a sentence and turns it into a question. Unlike question sentences in English, when a statement becomes a question in Japanese, the word order stays the same. Let's see how it functions in a sentence. Risa, how do you say, Ken is Japanese? So to ask, is Ken Japanese? It's very simple, but be sure to use rising intonation. Let's hear it again. In English, you have to change the word order. For example, Ken is Japanese changes to, is Ken Japanese? But in Japanese, you don't have to do that. Let's do one more example. How do you say, Ken can speak Japanese? And to ask, can Ken speak Japanese? Now, those sentences that we just gave were all formal sentences. How about informal sentences? It's a little bit different. You just add no at the end of the sentence in plain form. For example, becomes So people often use no instead. Let's take a look at a few more examples. Do you have any plans tonight? Is this your first time in Japan? Is Italian food delicious? This particle can also indicate alternatives. It comes after choices. We often omit the last ka. It corresponds to or in English. Let's see how it functions in a sentence. This means, I want to drink tea or coffee. Let's break it down. First, we have This means tea or coffee. Notice how the particle comes after the first choice. Following that, we have the particle that marks an object of desire. Finally, we have the verb in the tai form, which expresses desire. Let's take a look at a few more examples with the same particle used as an alternative marker. 車かバイクで広島に行きたいです。 I would like to go to Hiroshima by car or bike. 明日かあさって荷物が届きます。 The parcel will arrive tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. 紅茶か緑茶かコーヒーがあります。 There's tea, green tea, or coffee. In this lesson, you learned about the particle か Be sure to like the video and subscribe so that you don't miss all of the Japanese lessons that are coming soon. And if you want to learn even faster, go to JapanesePod101.com and sign up for your free lifetime account to unlock the ultimate Japanese particle guide, the complete video course on particles. Click the link in the lesson description to get your free lifetime account right now. In the next lesson, you'll learn about the particle も See you in the next lesson. Bye! Hi everyone! Welcome to the ultimate Japanese particle guide. In this lesson, you'll learn the particle も This particle usually follows a noun and means to or also. It replaces the particles は が and を Can we have a sample sentence? 高橋さんはカナダ人です。 ケンさんもカナダ人です。 Takashi is Canadian. Ken is also Canadian. The first sentence 高橋さんはカナダ人です。 means Takashi is Canadian and it contains the topic particle. The second sentence has the same structure. But we replace は with も. ケンさんもカナダ人です。 Ken is also Canadian. Can we have another example? これは私のです。 それも私のです。 This is mine. That's also mine. Notice that in the second sentence, we use も instead of は. それも Using this particle, you can easily say me too or so do I in Japanese. 私も or if you want to sound more polite 私もです。 Let's take a look at a few more examples. 靴が欲しいです。 カバンも欲しいです。 I want shoes. I also want a bag. これは100円です。 あれも100円です。 This is 100 yen. That is also 100 yen. これも肉です。 This is also meat. Notice that you don't always need to pair this particle with a topic or subject particle if it's clear from the context what you're referring to. You can also use this particle to emphasize the amount or the extent of something. You can translate it as as many as or as much as. Let's see this in a sentence. This means Ken knows as many as 5,000 kanji. 5,000 kanji is a lot! The speaker wanted to emphasize how big the number was so they said Let's see another example. It costs as much as 2 million yen. We're emphasizing the amount of money. You can also just say It costs 2 million yen. This sentence is just stating the fact that something costs 2 million yen and there isn't any emphasis. This particle can also be used as an emphasis marker with elements other than numbers. Even children have their own cell phones. Let's take a look at a few more examples. その本は10回も読みました。 I read that book as many as 10 times. 僕は忙しくて ジムに行く余裕もない。 I'm too busy and I don't even have time to go to the gym. スーパーで200ドルも使いました。 I spent as much as $200 at the supermarket. In this lesson, you learned about the particle も In this lesson, you learned the particle から This particle is called the starting point particle because it tells you when or where something begins. It means from. When meaning from, this particle comes after a noun. Let's see a sentence. Literally, it means there's a meeting from 3. But you can also translate it as we have a meeting at 3. Which expression marks the starting point? Literally, from 3 o'clock. Then it says there is a meeting. Let's hear an example with a place as starting point. From here, the train station is close. Which expression do you think marks the starting point? Yes, which means from here. Then it says the train station is close. Let's take a look at a few more examples. ベランダから洗濯物が落ちました。 The laundry fell off the balcony. 試合は8時からです。 The game starts at 8 o'clock. 東京から新幹線で行きました。 I went there from Tokyo by a bullet train. This particle can also indicate materials. Also, in this case, you can translate it as Let's hear an example. I make wine from grapes. Let's hear again the expression which indicates the material. We saw another particle that could be used for the same purpose. で also indicates the material something is made of or from. Is there a difference between them? Yes, から is only used when the material doesn't appear to be in its original state. So when the nature of the material is obvious, you should use で. When the product is the result of material going through a somewhat complex process, you can mark the material either with で or から. Let's take a look at a few more examples with the same particle used to indicate materials. 米からお酒を作ります。 I make sake from rice. 私は木から和紙を作りました。 I made Japanese washi paper from wood. このセーターは ペットボトルから作られています。 This sweater is made from plastic bottles. In this lesson, you learned about the particle から. In this lesson, you learned the particle まで. This particle marks the time or place an action ends. It's also called the limitation particle. It means until or to in English. Let's see an example. I'll wait until tomorrow. Which expression marks the limitation? Until tomorrow. Let's see an example with a place as arriving point. I walk to the station. The expression that marks the destination is to the station. Let's take a look at a few more examples. Literally, this means the exam is until 8. So it can be translated as the exam ends at 8. Literally, it means the meeting is until 5. So it can be translated as the meeting finishes at 5. I'll go by bus to Tokyo. This particle can also indicate a limit, extent, or an unexpected object. It means as far as, up to, or even in English. Let's hear an example. Even children have their own cell phones. In this sentence, the expression that indicates an extent is even children. This gives a specific meaning to the sentence. It's clear that, for the speaker, children having their own cell phones is something unexpected. Let's take a look at a few more examples with the same particle used to describe the extent of something or an unexpected object. I like fish. I even eat the bones. He even bowed to me. At Disneyland, not only children, but even adults can have fun. In this lesson, you learned about the particle Be sure to like the video and subscribe so that you don't miss all of the Japanese lessons that are coming soon. And if you want to learn even faster, go to JapanesePod101.com and sign up for your free lifetime account to unlock the Ultimate Japanese Particle Guide, the complete video course on particles. Click the link in the lesson description to get your free lifetime account right now. We hope you enjoyed our Ultimate Japanese Particles Guide. Until next time, bye! Bye!