Particles are the glue that holds Japanese sentences together, tiny words that completely change meaning depending on which one you use. This list covers 25 of the most essential and useful Japanese particles, chosen based on real usage frequency in everyday Japanese.
These 25 particles cover a huge range of functions, from marking the subject and object of a sentence (が, を) to expressing reason, contrast, and emotion (から, のに, ね). Bookmark this page and come back to it as your vocabulary grows, or download the free PDF below so you can take the list with you wherever you go.
Each particle comes with its meaning and a beginner-friendly example sentence so you can see it used in context. Combined with the verbs, nouns, and adjectives from my other lists, these particles are what actually let you build real, natural-sounding sentences.
Credit Attribution
- Audio file generated with VOICEVOX:四国めたん, VOICEVOX:冥鳴ひまり, VOICEVOX:ずんだもん
1. 『の』
- Particle: no
- Meaning: of, ‘s
- Function: shows possession
Example Sentence
アイナの曲。
Aina no kyoku.
It’s Aina‘s song.
2. 『は』
- Particle: wa (written ha)
- Meaning: as for (often untranslated)
- Function: marks the sentence topic
Example Sentence
猫は大きい。
Neko wa ookii.
The cat is big.
3. 『を』
- Particle: o (written wo)
- Meaning: (no direct translation)
- Function: marks the direct object
Example Sentence
水を飲む。
Mizu o nomu.
I drink water.
4. 『に』
- Particle: ni
- Meaning: to, at, in
- Function: marks destination or time
Example Sentence
10時に会う。
Jyuuji ni au.
I meet you at 10 o’clock.
5. 『が』
- Particle: ga
- Meaning: (no direct translation)
- Function: marks the subject
Example Sentence
彼女の声がいい。
Kanojo no koe ga ii.
Her voice is nice.
6. 『と』
- Particle: to
- Meaning: with, and
- Function: shows accompaniment
Example Sentence
友達と作る。
Tomodachi to tsukuru.
I make it with a friend.
7. 『で』
- Particle: de
- Meaning: at, by, with
- Function: marks location of action or means
Example Sentence
バーで飲む。
Baa de nomu.
I drink at a bar.
8. 『も』
- Particle: mo
- Meaning: also, too
- Function: adds inclusion
Example Sentence
私も行く。
Watashi mo iku.
I go too.
9. 『から』
- Particle: kara
- Meaning: from, since
- Function: marks a starting point or gives a reason
Example Sentence
8時から踊る。
Hachi ji kara odoru.
I’ll dance from 8 o’clock.
10. 『か』
- Particle: ka
- Meaning: “?” (no direct translation)
- Function: turns a statement into a question
Example Sentence
今日始まるか？
Kyou hajimaru ka?
Does it start today?
11. 『や』
- Particle: ya
- Meaning: and (among others)
- Function: lists non-exhaustive examples
Example Sentence
猫や犬が好き。
Neko ya inu ga suki.
I like cats and dogs (among others).
12. 『ね』
- Particle: ne
- Meaning: isn’t it, …right?
- Function: seeks agreement
Example Sentence
天気がいいね。
Tenki ga ii ne.
The weather is nice, isn’t it?
13. 『よ』
- Particle: yo
- Meaning: “!” (no direct translation)
- Function: adds emphasis, informs
Example Sentence
わかるよ。
Wakaru yo.
I understand!
14. 『な』
- Particle: na
- Meaning: …huh, isn’t it (casual)
- Function: adds casual emphasis or emotion
Example Sentence
難しいな。
Muzukashii na.
That’s difficult, huh.
15. 『まで』
- Particle: made
- Meaning: until, as far as
- Function: marks an endpoint
Example Sentence
明日まで使う。
Ashita made tsukau.
I use it until tomorrow.
16. 『だけ』
- Particle: dake
- Meaning: only, just
- Function: shows limitation
Example Sentence
少しだけ時間がある。
Sukoshi dake jikan ga aru.
I only have a little time.
17. 『より』
- Particle: yori
- Meaning: than
- Function: marks a comparison
Example Sentence
これより大きい。
Kore yori ookii.
Bigger than this.
18. 『って』
- Particle: tte
- Meaning: that, you said
- Function: casual topic or quote marker
Example Sentence
明日って忙しい？
Ashita tte isogashii?
Are you busy tomorrow?
19. 『ながら』
- Particle: nagara
- Meaning: while
- Function: shows simultaneous actions
Example Sentence
聞きながら読む。
Kikinagara yomu.
I read while listening.
20. 『へ』
- Particle: e (written he)
- Meaning: to, towards
- Function: marks direction toward a place (less specific than に)
Example Sentence
駅へ行く。
Eki e iku.
I go towards the station.
21. 『し』
- Particle: shi
- Meaning: and also, besides
- Function: lists multiple reasosn or qualities
Example Sentence
難しいし、大変。
Muzukashii shi, taihen.
It’s difficult, and also tough.
22. 『しか』
- Particle: shika
- Meaning: only, nothing but
- Function: shows exclusivity (with a negative verb)
Example Sentence
水しかない。
Mizu shika nai.
There’s only water.
23. 『ので』
- Particle: node
- Meaning: because, since
- Function: gives a reason (softer than から)
Example Sentence
寒いので、出ない。
Samui node, denai.
Since it’s cold, I don’t go out.
24. 『のに』
- Particle: noni
- Meaning: although, even though
- Function: shows contrast
Example Sentence
忙しいのに、行く。
Isogashii noni, iku.
Even though I’m busy, I’ll go.
25. 『ばかり』
- Particle: bakari
- Meaning: only, nothing but
- Function: shows exclusivity
Example Sentence
嘘ばかり言う。
Uso bakari iu.
You’re only telling lies.
できたよね🎉
You made it, right!? 🎉
You’ve just learned 25 of the most common Japanese particles, and you’ll start spotting many of them everywhere, from everyday conversations to anime, manga, games, songs, and the posts of your favorite stars.
Combined with the verbs, nouns, and adjectives you already know, these particles are what let you connect everything into real, natural Japanese sentences. Try building a few sentences yourself, or head over to my Beginner Japanese Sentences and see how many you can already understand.
Hungry for more? Check out my Top 25 Japanese Verbs, Top 25 Japanese Nouns, and Top 25 Japanese Adjectives next, or subscribe below to download the free PDF list and get future vocabulary packs sent straight to your inbox.
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