All about Japanese Particles
The function of Japanese particles
Japanese particles are small words that indicate relations of words within a sentence. They follow other words such as nouns, verbs, adjectives are parts of a sentence. Some but not all can be compared to prepositions in English. The Japanese language uses a total of 188 particles.
List of 188 Japanese particles
| No | Particle | Meaning / usage |
| 1 | は (wa) | Indicantes the topic of a sentence |
| 2 | か (ka) | At the end of a sentence indicating a question |
| 3 | が (ga) | Indicates the subject of a sentence |
| 4 | に (ni) | Indicates a location |
| 5 | の (no) | Indicates possession |
| 6 | は (wa) | Indicates a contrast between 2 items |
| 7 | に (ni) | Indicates time or frequency |
| 8 | へ (e) | Indicates direction |
| 9 | を (wo/o) | Indicates the direct object of a verb |
| 10 | と (to) | Used to connect and list up multiple items |
| 11 | や (ya) | Used to connect and partially list up multiple items |
| 12 | など (nado) | Used with や (ya) to partially list up multiple items |
| 13 | も (mo) | means “too”, “either”, “also” |
| 14 | も (mo) | both…and…, neither…nor… |
| 15 | に (ni) | Indicates the indirect object of a verb |
| 16 | に (ni) | Indicates the surface of a object where some action takes place |
| 17 | で (de) | Indicates the location of an action |
| 18 | と (to) | Together with |
| 19 | の (no) | Indicates an apposition |
| 20 | から (kara) | Indicates a starting point in time or place |
| 21 | より (yori) | Indicates a starting point in time or place but more formal than kara (20) |
| 22 | まで (made) | Indicates a limit on time, space or quantity |
| 23 | くらい (kurai) | Indicates an approximate amount |
| 24 | ほど (hodo) | Indicates an approximate amount |
| 25 | ばかり(bakari) | Indicates an approximate amount |
| 26 | で (de) | Indicates a means or material |
| 27 | か (ka) | Indicates a choice or alternative |
| 28 | を (wo/o) | Indicates a point of departure |
| 29 | を (wo/o) | Indicates a route of a movement/motion |
| 30 | に (ni) | Indicates a point of arrival |
| 31 | に (ni) | Indicates an entering motion |
| 32 | に (ni) | Used together with a verb to express a purpose |
| 33 | と (to) | Used when quoting someone |
| 34 | と いう (to iu) | Indicates the name of something |
| 35 | とか (toka) | “something like” |
| 36 | で (de) | Indicates a limit or scope |
| 37 | と (to) | Indicates a comparison |
| 38 | より (yori) | Indicates a comparison |
| 39 | より (yori) | Indicates superlative |
| 40 | くらい (kurai) | Indicates a comparison |
| 41 | ほど (hodo) | Indicates a comparison in a negative sentence |
| 42 | か (ka) | someone, something |
| 43 | も (mo) | “nothing”, nobody”, nowhere” if used with an interrogative word |
| 44 | に (ni) | Used with a verb to indicate a change or choice |
| 45 | をする (wo/o suru) | Expresses an occupation or position |
| 46 | でも (demo) | Indicates emphasis |
| 47 | でも (demo) | Together with an interrogative word it means “anything”, “anyone”, any time” |
| 48 | で (de) | Indicates a cause or a reason |
| 49 | から (kara) | Indicates a source such as a giver, a cause or material |
| 50 | に (ni) | Indicates a person who gives something or who provides a service |
| 51 | は (wa) + が (ga) | Indicates the relation between an object / subjects and a verb or adjective |
| 52 | が (ga) | Connects two sentences with the meaning “but…” |
| 53 | を (wo/o) | Used with an verb expressing emotions, it indicates the cause of this emotion |
| 54 | で (de) | Indicates a state / condition of something |
| 55 | で (de) | Limits numbers |
| 56 | だけ (dake) | Indicates a limit on things or amounts |
| 57 | だけ (dake) | Indicates a limit on an action or state |
| 58 | で (de) | Indicates the time of completion or expiration of something |
| 59 | でも (demo) | Following a noun, means “or something like this” |
| 60 | も (mo) | Emphasizes in a positive or negative way |
| 61 | でも (demo) | Indicates two or more items as an example of a larger list |
| 62 | ばかり (bakari) | Indicates that an item, state or action is a single one |
| 63 | ばかり (bakari) | Indicates an action was just completed |
| 64 | ところ (tokoro) | Indicates that an action takes place, just took place or is about to take place |
| 65 | が (ga) | Indicates the subject of subordinate clause when it is different from the subject of the main clause |
| 66 | から (kara) | conjunction meaning “after” or “since” |
| 67 | ながら (nagara) | Indicates that an action is happening simultaneously |
| 68 | が (ga) | Indicates the subject of a relative clause |
| 69 | の (no) | Indicates the subject of a relative clause |
| 70 | から (kara) | Used as a conjunction and indicates a cause or reason |
| 71 | ので (node) | Indicates a strong reason |
| 72 | の (no) | Indicates a modified pronoun |
| 73 | の (no) | Used to nominalize verbs & sentences |
| 74 | なら (nara) | Used as a conjunction and indicates a supposition or condition |
| 75 | なら (nara) | Indicates a topics and is used as an alternative to wa (No.1) |
| 76 | と (to) | Indicates a condition that results in an inevitable outcome |
| 77 | ば (ba) | Used as a conjunction to express a probable results |
| 78 | ばいい (ba) | “all you have to do…” |
| 79 | ば (ba) | Used to enumerate two or more actions or states |
| 80 | たら (tara) | Used as a conjunction, indicates a supposition or condition |
| 81 | たら (tara) | Used as a conjunction to indicate that one action takes place before the action described in the main sentence |
| 82 | ところ (tokoro) | Used as a conjunction to indicate a condition that brings about a discovery |
| 83 | ても (temo) | a conjunction meaning “even if” |
| 84 | ても (temo) | Used with a set of contrasting verbs and adjectives |
| 85 | ても (temo) | Together with an interrogative word it means “no matter what/where/who” |
| 86 | ては (tewa) | Indicates a condition which will bring a negative conclusion |
| 87 | のみ (nomi) | Indicates a limit (similar to だけ dake) |
| 88 | まで (made) | “even”, used to emphasize |
| 89 | さえ (sae) | “even”, used to emphasize |
| 90 | さえ (sae) | “if only” or “as long as” |
| 91 | のに (noni) | “although”, “in spite of the fact that” |
| 92 | ながら (nagara) | “although”, “though”, “but” |
| 93 | とか (toka) | Indicates that a list of two ore more things or actions is not exhaustive |
| 94 | たり (tari) | List of two or more actions in no particular sequence |
| 95 | たり (tari) | Indicates actions or states that alternate |
| 96 | のに (noni) | Indicates a purpose or function |
| 97 | のです (no desu) | Asks for an explanation or reason |
| 98 | きり (kiri) | Indicates a limit to an amount |
| 99 | きり (kiri) | Indicates the last time a certain incident occured |
| 100 | とも (tomo) | Used with numbers and counters to mean “both” or “all” |
| 101 | ながら (nagara) | Used with numbers and counters to mean “both” or “all” |
| 102 | しか (shika) | Used with a negative verb to indicate limits on conditions or quantities meaning “only” |
| 103 | しかない (shika nai) | used with a verb meaning “to have no choice but to” |
| 104 | し (shi) | Used as a conjunction, indicating two or more actions or states |
| 105 | し (shi) | Used as a conjunction indicating a reason |
| 106 | とも (tomo) | Indicates inclusion |
| 107 | に (ni) | Indicates the one acting or the one acted upon |
| 108 | か (ka) | Indicates uncertainty about something |
| 109 | か (ka) | Indicates uncertainty about a state or reason |
| 110 | だの (dano) | Indicates two or more items or actions of a longer list (similar to toka とか) |
| 111 | だの (dano) | Indicates a pair of opposite actions or states |
| 112 | など (nado) | “something to the effect” |
| 113 | やら (yara) | Indicates two or more items of a longer list |
| 114 | やら (yara) | Indicates uncertainty |
| 115 | ても (temo) | Indicates an approximate limit with the meaning of “at the most” |
| 116 | とも (tomo) | Indicates an approximate maximum or minimum |
| 117 | は (wa) | Indicates that a number is the higher or lowest limit |
| 118 | と (to) | Emphasizes a number in a negative sentence |
| 119 | など (nado) | Indicates examples |
| 120 | くらい (kurai) | Expresses an extent of an action or condition similar to ぐらい gurai |
| 121 | ほど (hodo) | Indicates the extend of an action or condition |
| 122 | ほど (hodo) | “the more… the more…” |
| 123 | だけ (dake) | “as… as…” |
| 124 | だけ (dake) | “the more… the more…” |
| 125 | と (to) | “about to do something”, “trying to do something” |
| 126 | と (to) | “even if…”, “whether… or not” |
| 127 | なり (nari) | “either…”, “whether…or” |
| 128 | なり (nari) | “anything”, “anyone”, “any time” |
| 129 | こそ (koso) | Emphasizes the word preceding it |
| 130 | こそ (koso) | Emphasizes a reason or a cause |
| 131 | ては (tewa) | Expresses repetition of an action |
| 132 | に (ni) | Joins two or more nouns to indicate a list of items |
| 133 | に (ni) | Connects two or more items to indicate a matching or a contrast |
| 134 | にしては (ni shite wa) | Indicates a generally agreed upon standard |
| 135 | にとって (ni totte) | Indicates an effect or value of a person or thing |
| 136 | について (ni tsuite) | “about”, “concerning” something or someone |
| 137 | とも…とも (tomo… tomo) | “can’t say whether… or…” |
| 138 | が (ga) | “even if”, “whether… or not” |
| 139 | は (wa) | Emphasizes contrasting elements |
| 140 | として (toshite) | Indicates status, capacity or function |
| 141 | として (toshite) | Provides emphasis in a negative sentence |
| 142 | ばかりでなく(bakari de naku) | “not only… but also” |
| 143 | だけ (dake) | used to express “not only…but also” |
| 144 | のみ (nomi) | used to express “not only…but also” |
| 145 | なり (nari) | “as soon as” |
| 146 | がはやいか (ga hayai ka) | “as soon as” |
| 147 | やいなや (ya ina ya) | “as soon as” |
| 148 | かないうちに (ka nai uchi ni) | “no sooner had”, “hardly had” |
| 149 | ばかり (bakari) | Indicates the only action left to do |
| 150 | ばかりに (bakari ni) | Emphasizes a reason or cause |
| 151 | すら (sura) | Emphasizes in the meaning of “even” |
| 152 | など (nado) | Expresses a humble attitude towards an item |
| 153 | とも (tomo) | “no matter what”, “even if” |
| 154 | ともあろうひと (tomo aroo hito) | To express that someone did something not to be expected |
| 155 | どころか (dokoro ka) | “far from”, “not to mention” |
| 156 | だけに (dake ni) | Indicates a cause or reason |
| 157 | までもない (made mo nai) | “there is no need to…” |
| 158 | ものの (mono no) | “but” or “although” |
| 159 | ところで (tokoro de) | “even if” |
| 160 | けれども (keredomo) | Connects 2 sentences meaning “but” or “although” |
| 161 | けれども (keredomo) | Indicates a preliminary remark |
| 162 | が (ga) | Used to soften a statement or refusal |
| 163 | けれども (keredomo) | Indicates a desire |
| 164 | ね (ne) | At the end of a sentence to confirm a statement |
| 165 | ね (ne) | At the end of a sentence to soften a request or suggestion |
| 166 | ね (ne) | At the end of a sentence to indicate a reason or cause |
| 167 | ねえ (nee) | At the end of a sentence to indicate emotion |
| 168 | よ (yo) | At the end of a sentence to state a strong conviction |
| 169 | よ (yo) | At the end of a sentence to articulate a request or suggestion |
| 170 | かしら (kashira) | At the end of a sentence to express uncertainty, a request or a question and mainly used by women |
| 171 | かな (kana) | At the end of a sentence to express uncertainty, a request or a question and mainly used by men |
| 172 | な (na) | At the end of a sentence and used by men to confirm a statement |
| 173 | な (na) | At the end of a sentence to express a prohibition, used by men |
| 174 | なあ (naa) | At the end of a sentence to express emotion, used by men |
| 175 | なあ (naa) | At the end of a sentence to express a desire |
| 176 | の (no) | At the end of a sentence to express a question or soften a command, used by women |
| 177 | わ (wa) | At the end of a sentence to soften a statement, used by women |
| 178 | さ (sa) | At the end of a sentence to indicate slight emphasis, used by men |
| 179 | こと (koto) | At the end of a sentence to indicate emotion, used by women |
| 180 | こと (koto) | At the end of a sentence to express a suggestion or invitation, used by women |
| 181 | もの (mono) | At the end of a sentence to express a reason or excuse |
| 182 | とも (tomo) | At the end of a sentence to express an assertion |
| 183 | ものか (monoka) | At the end of a sentence to express a negative determination, used by men |
| 184 | や (ya) | At the end of a sentence to soften a statement, request or suggestion, used by men |
| 185 | たら (tara) | At the end of a sentence to indicate a suggestion or proposal |
| 186 | やら (yara) | At the end of a sentence to indicate a rhetorical question with a negative implication |
| 187 | ぜ (ze) | At the end of a sentence to add for to sentence, used by men |
| 188 | ぞ (zo) | At the end of a sentence to add force to a sentence or to express a question to oneself |
NIHONGO ICHIBAN 
文法と漢字がけっこ難しい。。。けど。。。。。
いしょうにまた日本語が勉強しましょう。。。。。。!!!!
頑張ります・・。。。。。。
ありがとうございます。
皆と一緒に頑張りましょう。
the next column should sentence’s sample
This is a good idea. Now that I changed the blog’s layout I have more space. I will try what it looks like if I add another column.
Thanks again for sharing the idea.
Is there some way to download it?
Hello,
Sorry we don’t have a download version of this.
Best Regards,
Sophie Coureau
copy paste to word:P
The table says the particle no. 4 is “に” indicating location, but when you click the link, you get the particle “に” marking a dative case (which is no. 15 in the table).
it’s very informative and very useful….勉強しましょう。
どうもありがとうございます。
why is yo particle uesd???
Aren’t まま and 同じ also particles? If not, why?
wow! too much! no wonder many ppl are saying we don’t like particles
I think, even it’s not impossible to write down all the particles, but as a study material it’s more than enough, and I really apreciate you guys effort. As for the other particles, or the other use of particles written above, I’ll say experience would be the best teacher.
As for the last, maybe I can put one down
“Nagara” ながら – while doing something
e.g. Arukinagara hon wo yomu 歩きながら本を読む – I read a book, while walking
This is a grammar structure, not a particle.
can you give me an example to used ぜ so i can understand better( with the english translation)
お願い島津、ありがとう
（＾ω＾）
行こうぜ！Let’s go! (more masculine that using よ)
Can you please post example for each particle
Tank you very much for this work!!! 😀
wow… its all to much,,, i hope i can. Amin.
Thank you so much
It would be better if the multiple uses of particles like ‘to’ were listed one after the other
I see だけ in the list, but I often hear だけど. Could you please explain it? Is it also a particle or something else?
Thanks for the effort you put into this website. For someone like me who has to teach themselves, it’s a great help!
Excellent site. Plenty oof helpfuyl information here.
I am sending it too several friends anss addcitionally sharing in delicious.
And certainly, thanks in your effort!
more than 100 particles? Oh my, that puts Nepali to shame :O
It is observed from the list that a particular particle can be used to express different moods and purposes .For our better learning, examples are required.
better if it would be with examples.
Thanks
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact
was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added
agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?
Ｃｈａｎｄａｎａ Ｋ。Ｓｅｎａｒａｔｎｅ ありがとうございました。 勉強 は 分かりやすい です。
Helpfull
Thank you so much! I ‘m taking up a Japanese course, so this really helps whenever I’m in a bind. You’re a life saver!
Can somebody show an example of は (wa) + が (ga) and けれども (keredomo)?
これは非常に便利です. 前もって感謝します.今後の作品のためのすべての非常に最高の。
これは非常に便利なサイトです。前もって感謝します。私は、あなたの将来の作品のためのすべての非常に最高のを願っています。
本当に役に立つ
きれいな \(¤.¤)/
It is really helpful but it should have example of those particles in sentences because I couldn’t imagine how to use some of them.
ありがとうございます! 今ポオランドから書いて
Nice one really useful
Somehow stumbled across this page but it was nice to see all the different particles!