Core Function
へ indicates direction or orientation toward a destination.
Pronunciation: Written へ but pronounced "e"
東京へ行く
toukyou e iku
"go toward Tokyo"
Main Use: Direction
With movement verbs - indicates direction of movement:
学校へ行く - "go to/toward school"
日本へ来る - "come to Japan"
家へ帰る - "return home"
Common verbs: 行く, 来る, 帰る, 向かう
へ vs に
Both mark destination, but へ is more abstract:
東京に行く - "go to Tokyo" (specific destination)
東京へ行く - "go toward Tokyo" (direction)
In most cases, they're interchangeable for destination.
See: へ vs に Direction
へ Emphasizes Direction
When direction/path matters more than destination:
北へ向かう - "head north"
前へ進む - "advance forward"
上へ上がる - "go up"
Cannot Use へ
Static location (use に)
✗ 部屋へいる
✓ 部屋にいる
"be in the room"
Action location (use で)
✗ 図書館へ勉強する
✓ 図書館で勉強する
"study at library"
Time expressions
✗ 三時へ
✓ 三時に
"at 3 o'clock"
Common Patterns
[Place]へ 行く/来る/帰る
学校へ行く - "go to school"
[Direction]へ 向かう/進む
北へ向かう - "head north"
Formal/Literary Feel
へ sounds slightly more formal or literary than に:
Casual: 家に帰る
Formal: 家へ帰る
Key Takeaways
✓ Indicates direction of movement
✓ Written へ, pronounced "e"
✓ More abstract than に
✓ Interchangeable with に for destination
✓ Slightly more formal/literary
Related: