は(wa)Topic marker
Marks the topic of the sentence — what you're talking about.
私は学生です。— I am a student.
東京は大きいです。— Tokyo is big.
が(ga)Subject marker
Marks the grammatical subject, especially for new information, existence, and ability.
雨が降っています。— It's raining.
日本語ができます。— I can speak Japanese.
を(wo/o)Direct object marker
Marks the direct object of a transitive verb.
本を読みます。— I read a book.
水を飲みます。— I drink water.
に(ni)Direction / Time / Location (existence)
Indicates destination, time, or where something exists (with いる/ある).
学校に行きます。— I go to school.
三時に会います。— We meet at 3 o'clock.
で(de)Location (action) / Means / Reason
Indicates where an action takes place, the means/tool, or a reason.
図書館で勉強します。— I study at the library.
箸で食べます。— I eat with chopsticks.
へ(e)Direction (toward)
Indicates direction of movement. Similar to に but emphasizes the direction, not the arrival.
日本へ行きます。— I'm going to Japan.
の(no)Possession / Modifier
Connects nouns (like English 's or of). Also makes noun phrases and nominalizes verbs.
私の本— My book
日本語の先生— Japanese teacher
と(to)And / With / Quotation
Lists items exhaustively, marks a companion, or introduces quotations.
猫と犬がいます。— There are cats and dogs.
友達と行きます。— I'll go with a friend.
も(mo)Also / Too
Replaces は/が/を to mean 'also' or 'too'.
私も学生です。— I am also a student.
か(ka)Question marker
Turns a statement into a question.
日本人ですか。— Are you Japanese?
から(kara)From / Because
Indicates starting point (time/place) or reason.
九時から始まります。— It starts from 9 o'clock.
暑いから窓を開けます。— Because it's hot, I'll open the window.
まで(made)Until / Up to
Indicates an endpoint in time or space.
五時まで働きます。— I work until 5 o'clock.
より(yori)Comparison (than)
Marks the thing being compared against.
猫より犬が好きです。— I like dogs more than cats.
よ / ね(yo / ne)Sentence-ending emphasis
よ adds assertion (I'm telling you). ね seeks agreement (right? / isn't it?).
これはおいしいですよ。— This is delicious, you know!
いい天気ですね。— Nice weather, isn't it?
