Particles are essential for constructing a sentence in Japanese. They are used to connect the various parts of the sentence. If you use the wrong particle, the entire meaning on the sentence can change.
Here are 10 common mistakes that Japanese learners make with particles, and how to avoid them.
1. Confusing は (wa) and が (ga)
One of the most common and fundamental mistakes with Japanese particles is confusing は (wa) and が (ga). Both particles can mark the subject of a sentence, but they have different functions and implications. は (wa) is a topic marker, which means it indicates what the sentence is about, or what the speaker wants to emphasize. が (ga) is a subject marker, which means it indicates who or what performs the action or has the attribute in the sentence.
For example, consider the following sentences:
- 私は学生です。 (Watashi wa gakusei desu.) I am a student.
- 私が学生です。 (Watashi ga gakusei desu.) I am the student.
Both sentences have the same words, but different particles. The first sentence uses は (wa) to mark 私 (watashi) as the topic of the sentence, which means the speaker is introducing themselves as a student, or stating a general fact about themselves. The second sentence uses が (ga) to mark 私 (watashi) as the subject of the sentence, which means the speaker is identifying themselves as the student in a specific context, such as answering a question or pointing out themselves among others.
A general rule of thumb is to use は (wa) when you want to talk about something in general, or contrast it with something else, and use が (ga) when you want to specify or emphasize something in particular. I have to admit to sometimes just using wa whenever I’m unsure of what particle to use though, but I don’t recommend that!
2. Omitting を (wo)
Another common mistake with Japanese particles is omitting を (wo), which marks the direct object of a transitive verb. A transitive verb is a verb that requires an object to complete its meaning, such as eat, read, or buy. を (wo) indicates what is being acted upon by the verb, and it is usually placed after the object.
For example, consider the following sentences:
- パンを食べます。 (Pan wo tabemasu.) I eat bread.
- パン食べます。 (Pan tabemasu.) I eat bread.
The first sentence uses を (wo) to mark パン (pan) as the direct object of 食べます (tabemasu), which means the speaker is eating bread. The second sentence omits を (wo), which makes the sentence grammatically incorrect and ambiguous. The speaker could be eating bread, or they could be eating something else with bread.
Remember to use を (wo) when you have a transitive verb and a direct object in your sentence.
3. Misusing に (ni) and で (de)
Another common mistake with Japanese particles is misusing に (ni) and で (de), which can both mark the location of an action or event. However, they have different meanings and usages depending on the type of verb they follow. に (ni) indicates where something exists, moves to, or happens at, and it usually follows verbs that express existence, movement, or occurrence. で (de) indicates where something is done or takes place, and it usually follows verbs that express action or state.
For example, consider the following sentences:
- 学校に行きます。 (Gakkou ni ikimasu.) I go to school.
- 学校で勉強します。 (Gakkou de benkyou shimasu.) I study at school.
Both sentences use 学校 (gakkou) as the location of an action or event, but they use different particles. The first sentence uses に (ni) to mark 学校 (gakkou) as the destination of 行きます (ikimasu), which means the speaker is moving to school. The second sentence uses で (de) to mark 学校 (gakkou) as the place of 勉強します (benkyou shimasu), which means the speaker is studying at school.
A general rule of thumb is to use に (ni) when you want to indicate where something exists, moves to, or happens at, and use で (de) when you want to indicate where something is done or takes place.
4. Mixing up から (kara) and まで (made)
Another common mistake with Japanese particles is mixing up から (kara) and まで (made), which can both mark the starting and ending points of a range. However, they have different positions and meanings depending on the context. から (kara) indicates the starting point of a range, and it usually follows the first element of the range. まで (made) indicates the ending point of a range, and it usually follows the last element of the range.
For example, consider the following sentences:
- 午前九時から午後五時まで働きます。 (Gozen kuji kara gogo goji made hatarakimasu.) I work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 午後五時まで午前九時から働きます。 (Gogo goji made gozen kuji kara hatarakimasu.) I work until 5 p.m. from 9 a.m.
Both sentences use 午前九時 (gozen kuji) and 午後五時 (gogo goji) as the starting and ending points of a range, but they use different particles and word orders. The first sentence uses から (kara) to mark 午前九時 (gozen kuji) as the starting point of the range, and まで (made) to mark 午後五時 (gogo goji) as the ending point of the range, which means the speaker works from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The second sentence uses まで (made) to mark 午後五時 (gogo goji) as the ending point of the range, and から (kara) to mark 午前九時 (gozen kuji) as the starting point of the range, which means the speaker works until 5 p.m. from 9 a.m.
You can use から (kara) when you want to indicate the starting point of a range, and use まで (made) when you want to indicate the ending point of a range.
5. Forgetting も (mo)
Another common mistake with Japanese particles is forgetting も (mo), which indicates that something is also or too the case, or that something is included in a group or category. も (mo) can replace other particles such as は (wa), が (ga), or を (wo), and it usually follows the word or phrase that it modifies.
For example, consider the following sentences:
- 私は学生です。あなたも学生ですか？ (Watashi wa gakusei desu. Anata mo gakusei desu ka?) I am a student. Are you also a student?
- 私がパンを食べます。あなたもパンを食べますか？ (Watashi ga pan wo tabemasu. Anata mo pan wo tabemasu ka?) I eat bread. Do you also eat bread?
Both sentences use も (mo) to indicate that something is also or too the case, but they use it in different ways. The first sentence uses も (mo) to replace は (wa), which means that both 私 (watashi) and あなた (anata) are students. The second sentence uses も (mo) to modify あなた (anata), which means that both 私 (watashi) and あなた (anata) eat bread.
You should use も (mo) when you want to indicate that something is also or too the case, or that something is included in a group or category.
6. Misplacing の (no)
Another common mistake with Japanese particles is misplacing の (no), which indicates possession, belonging, or attribution. の (no) can connect two nouns or noun phrases, and it usually follows the word or phrase that owns or belongs to something.
For example, consider the following sentences:
- 私の本です。 (Watashi no hon desu.) It is my book.
- 私本のです。 (Watashi hon no desu.) It is my book.
Both sentences use の (no) to indicate possession, but they place it differently. The first sentence uses の (no) to connect 私 (watashi) and 本 (hon), which means that 私 (watashi) owns or possesses 本 (hon). The second sentence uses の (no) to modify 私 (watashi), which makes the sentence grammatically incorrect and nonsensical.
Try and use の (no) to connect the word or phrase that owns or belongs to something, and place it after the word or phrase.
7. Overusing と (to)
Another common mistake with Japanese particles is overusing と (to), which can have various meanings and functions depending on the context. と (to) can indicate a list of items, a quotation, a condition, a companion, or a method. However, it is not always appropriate to use と (to) for these purposes, and sometimes other particles or expressions are more suitable.
For example, consider the following sentences:
- 私はりんごとバナナとオレンジを買いました。 (Watashi wa ringo to banana to orenji wo kaimashita.) I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.
- 私はりんごやバナナやオレンジを買いました。 (Watashi wa ringo ya banana ya orenji wo kaimashita.) I bought apples, bananas, oranges, and so on.
Both sentences use と (to) or や (ya) to indicate a list of items, but they have different implications. The first sentence uses と (to) to mark each item in the list, which means that the speaker bought only those three items. The second sentence uses や (ya) to mark some of the items in the list, which means that the speaker bought those items and possibly others.
Remember to use と (to) when you want to indicate a complete or exhaustive list of items, and use や (ya) when you want to indicate a partial or indefinite list of items.
8. Neglecting へ (e)
Another common mistake with Japanese particles is neglecting へ (e), which indicates the direction or destination of movement. へ (e) can be used interchangeably with に (ni) in some cases, but they have different nuances and usages depending on the verb and context. へ (e) emphasizes the direction or goal of movement, while に (ni) emphasizes the location or result of movement.
For example, consider the following sentences:
- 日本へ行きます。 (Nihon e ikimasu.) I go to Japan.
- 日本に行きます。 (Nihon ni ikimasu.) I go to Japan.
Both sentences use へ (e) or に (ni) to indicate the destination of 行きます (ikimasu), but they have different nuances. The first sentence uses へ (e) to mark 日本 (nihon) as the direction or goal of movement, which means that the speaker is heading towards Japan. The second sentence uses に (ni) to mark 日本 (nihon) as the location or result of movement, which means that the speaker is arriving in Japan.
Basically, use へ (e) when you want to indicate the direction or destination of movement, and use に (ni) when you want to indicate the location or result of movement.
9. Misunderstanding より (yori)
Another common mistake with Japanese particles is misunderstanding より (yori), which indicates comparison or preference. より (yori) can be used to compare two things or states, or to express preference over something. However, it is not always equivalent to “than” or “more than” in English, and sometimes other expressions are more natural or accurate.
For example, consider the following sentences:
- 私は犬より猫が好きです。 (Watashi wa inu yori neko ga suki desu.) I like cats more than dogs.
- 私は犬の方が猫より好きです。 (Watashi wa inu no hou ga neko yori suki desu.) I like dogs better than cats.
Both sentences use より (yori) to indicate comparison or preference, but they have different structures and meanings. The first sentence uses より (yori) to mark 犬 (inu) as the standard of comparison, and が (ga) to mark 猫 (neko) as the preferred thing, which means that the speaker likes cats more than dogs. The second sentence uses の方が (no hou ga) to mark 犬 (inu) as the preferred thing, and より (yori) to mark 猫 (neko) as the standard of comparison, which means that the speaker likes dogs better than cats.
Useより (yori) when you want to indicate comparison or preference, and use の方が (no hou ga) when you want to emphasize preference or superiority. I don’t know why, but this particular point often confuses me, so if it confuses you, you are not alone!
10. Forgetting か (ka)
Another common mistake with Japanese particles is forgetting か (ka), which indicates a question or a choice. か (ka) can be used to turn a statement into a question, or to list two or more alternatives. However, it is not always necessary to use か (ka) for these purposes, and sometimes other intonations or expressions are more appropriate.
For example, consider the following sentences:
- あなたは学生ですか？ (Anata wa gakusei desu ka?) Are you a student?
- あなたは学生です。 (Anata wa gakusei desu.) You are a student.
Both sentences use the same words, but different intonations and particles. The first sentence uses か (ka) to mark the sentence as a question, which means that the speaker is asking if the listener is a student. The second sentence uses a rising intonation to mark the sentence as a question, which means that the speaker is confirming if the listener is a student.
Remember: Use か (ka) when you want to indicate a question or a choice, and use a rising intonation when you want to indicate a confirmation or a doubt.
Those were 10 mistakes that people often make with particles when learning Japanese. How many of these mistakes have you made? If you are looking for Japanese lessons, we recommend this class for beginners, which will help you get these particles straight once and for all.