Exploring Japanese Particle

When I ask Japanese learners, “What do you find most challenging about learning Japanese?” one of the most common answers is: particles. Perhaps you feel the same — that Japanese particles can be quite difficult to grasp.
Today, we will take a closer look at five essential particles frequently used in everyday conversation. Each will be explained in a clear and accessible way to help you understand how they work. Strengthen your Japanese by gaining confidence in using particles.
Let’s begin.

One of the key features of Japanese is its flexibility in word order. Let’s take a look at a few examples to see how this works.

(1) アナさんは トムさんに 電話をしました。(Ana-san wa Tomu-san ni denwa o shimashita)
– Ana called Tom.
(2) アナさんに トムさんは 電話をしました。(Ana-san ni Tomu-san wa denwa o shimashita)
– Tom called Ana.

At first glance, these two sentences look almost the same. However, their meanings are completely different when translated into English.
In (1), Ana is the subject — she made the call.
In (2), Tom is the subject — he made the call.
The person who made the call is different in each sentence.

Here’s another example.
(1) 私の夫は、毎日、ジムに行くんです。(Watashi no otto wa, mainichi, jimu ni ikundesu)
(2) 毎日行くんです、ジムに。私の夫は。(Mainichi ikundesu, jimu ni. Watashi no otto wa)

Compared to the previous example, the word order in (1) and (2) is completely different. However, both sentences mean the same thing: “My husband goes to the gym every day.” A sentence like (2) may not appear often in Japanese textbooks, but it’s commonly used in everyday conversation.

As demonstrated, the use of particles in Japanese allows for flexible word order while still conveying clear meaning. In this sense, a solid understanding of Japanese particles is essential for effective communication in the language.

By the way, have you ever been confused by the difference between the particles “wa” and “ga”? Let’s take a closer look at the difference between these two sentences:
・彼はアメリカ人です。(Kare wa amerika-jin desu)
・彼がアメリカ人です。(Kare ga amerika-jin desu)
This is perhaps the most frequently asked question I receive when teaching Japanese.

Since most native speakers use “wa” and “ga” intuitively, distinguishing between the two can be especially challenging for learners. That is why it is essential to carefully observe how these particles are used in actual sentences and conversations, and to allow yourself time to develop a deeper understanding.
Today, however, I would like to clearly and directly explain the single most important point to keep in mind when learning how to use “wa” and “ga.”

・“Wa” (は): Topic-marking particle
It shows what the sentence is about — like saying, “As for ___”. It introduces the theme of the sentence, often something already known or assumed by the listener.
・“Ga” (が): Subject-marking particle
It emphasizes the subject that performs the action or holds the state.

Let’s look at a pair of examples. Can you see the difference?
(1) 私は日本語教師です。(Watashi wa nihongo kyoushi desu)
(2) 私が日本語教師です。(Watashi ga nihongo kyoushi desu)

Because the first sentence uses “wa”, it sets “watashi” (I) as the topic of the sentence — as if saying, “As for me, I’m a Japanese teacher.” This is a standard phrase often used for self-introduction.

In contrast, sentence (2) uses “ga”, which marks “watashi” as the subject and emphasizes it.　The nuance here is, “It’s not that person — it’s me who is the Japanese teacher.”

Did you know the difference between these two?

Another commonly used particle besides “wa” and “ga” is “wo” (を), as in the sentence:
日本語を勉強します。(Nihongo wo benkyō shimasu.) – I study Japanese.
One of the main functions of “wo” is to mark the object of the action —what the verb is being done to.

Let’s look at an example:
A：週末、何を しますか。(Shūmatsu, nani wo shimasu ka?) – What are you going to do this weekend?
B：友だちと 映画を 見ます。(Tomodachi to eiga wo mimasu.) – I’ll watch a movie with a friend.

This is a simple and natural exchange. However, some learners may say: “映画見ます (eiga mimasu)” Without the particle “wo”, it’s still somewhat understandable, especially in casual conversation.
But let’s look at a case where missing the particle can cause confusion.

人 サメ 食べます (Hito same tabemasu) – Human, shark, eat

You might interpret this as:
人がサメを食べます。(Hito ga same wo tabemasu) – A human eats a shark.
But what if you were actually trying to describe the movie Jaws by Steven Spielberg,
where the shark eats the human?

Then the correct sentence should be:
人をサメが食べます。(Hito wo same ga tabemasu) – A shark eats a human.

Even though native speakers may be able to infer your intended meaning, omitting particles like “wo” can result in significant misunderstandings. Therefore, mastering the correct use of “wo” is essential for accurate and effective communication in Japanese.

Another pair of particles that can be confusing for learners are “ni” (に) and “de” (で). Both are used frequently in everyday conversations, and one of their key functions is to indicate location.

Let’s look at the following examples. Can you tell the difference between how these two particles are used?

(1) 今、マクドナルドに います。(Ima, Makudonarudo ni imasu)
– I am at McDonald’s now.
(2) 今、マクドナルドで 食べています。(Ima, Makudonarudo de tabeteimasu)
– I am eating at McDonald’s now.

Both “ni” and “de” can be translated as “at” in English, and in both cases the location is McDonald’s — however, their usage in Japanese conveys different nuances.

Here’s another example to reinforce the difference:
(1) 日本語の本は 家に あります。(Nihongo no hon wa ie ni arimasu)
– The Japanese book is at home.
(2) 日本語の本は 家で 使います。(Nihongo no hon wa ie de tsukaimasu)
– I use the Japanese book at home.

The location particles “ni” and “de” —In fact, they are used differently depending on the context, as shown below:
・Ni (に) is used when the verb expresses existence or presence
Examples:
あります (arimasu) – to exist (inanimate)
います (imasu) – to exist (animate)
住んでいます (sunndeimasu) – to live
・De (で) is used when the verb describes an action or activity
Examples:
食べます (tabemasu) – to eat
見ます (mimasu) – to watch / to see
勉強します (benkyou simasu) – to study

Whether you’re at McDonald’s or at home, the actual location is not what determines the particle — it’s the verb that matters.

Here’s the key point!
The number of verbs that require the structure “location ＋ de” is overwhelmingly larger than those that use “ni.” So, I highly recommend that you specifically memorize the verbs that go with “ni.”

A good place to start is with the three we mentioned earlier:
あります (arimasu) – to exist (inanimate)
います (imasu) – to exist (animate)
住んでいます (sundeimasu) – to live
These are commonly used in self-introductions and daily conversation.
Get used to using patterns like:
“___ ni arimasu,” “___ ni imasu,” and “___ ni sundeimasu”

By learning these verb + particle combinations together, you’ll gain practical phrases you can use right away!

Particles are an essential component of effective communication in Japanese. However, understanding subtle differences in nuance and mastering their natural usage independently can be quite challenging.
We invite you to join our classes at TCJ, where you can develop a solid command of Japanese particles in an enjoyable and efficient learning environment.

References

Nihongo Kijutsu Bunpō Kenkyūkai (Ed.). (2009). Gendai Nihongo Bunpō 2: Part 3 Case and Syntax / Part 4 Voice. Kurosio Publishers.
Nihongo Kijutsu Bunpō Kenkyūkai (Ed.). (2009). Gendai Nihongo Bunpō 5: Part 9 Focus / Part 10 Topic. Kurosio Publishers.