Particles and Items. Flashcards
Topic marker (general).
Wa.
Topic marker (specific); object-emphasis (non-action); emphasis question word (or answer to question); conjunction (but).
Ga.
Also/as well particle.
Mo.
Question marker.
Ka.
Right? (attaches “isn’t it?” or “is it?”).
Ne.
Belonging/linking particle (relationship between two pieces of information).
No.
Direct object marker (action statement).
O/Wo.
Movement (towards) particle (directional); specific time (in/at/on); location marker (non-action statement).
Ni.
What is the rule for using the time specific particle (ni)?
1) Following specific time information, in an action statement.
2) Where reference to time information is more general (expression of time) there is no need to use the particle.
3) When linked to an expression of time (A no B) used after the specific time information.
Implement of action (including tools and mode of transport); location marker (action statement); number of people information.
De.
Company (with) particle; listing (specific or exhaustive).
To (toh).
Listing (general or non-exhaustive); implies etc.
Ya.
From (starts from) particle. Also indicates that the preceding information is the start of a span of time, distance, travel route etc.
Kara.
Until (goes to/until) particle. Also indicates that the preceding information is the end of a span of time, distance, travel route etc.
Made.
Inserted at the end of statement. Adds “you know?”.
Yo.
‘Is/am/are’ grammatical item.
Desu.
‘Is not/am not/are not’ grammatical item.
Ja arimasen.
‘Was’ grammatical item.
Deshita.
‘Was not’ grammatical item.
Ja arimasendeshita.
‘Do’ grammatical item (present/future tense).
Masu.
‘Not do’ gramatical item (present/future tense).
Masen.
‘Did’ grammatical item (past tense).
Mashita.
‘Did not’ grammatical item (past tense).
Masendeshita.
‘Lets’ grammatical item (present/future tense). Positive item.
Mashoo.
‘Would you like to?’ grammatical item (present/future tense).
Masenka.
What are grammatical items?
Grammatical items are functional words. They are attached to stem form verbs. They affect the meaning by indicating tense information, and whether the word is positively or negatively expressed.
What are particles?
Particles are functional words which provide context to information in the sentence. In Japanese language particles are similar to pre-positions in English language. Except they are used in a post-position.
‘True’ (marking).
Maru (o).
‘False’ (marking).
Batsu (x).
‘Shall I do (insert action)’.
Mashouka.
