Japanese particles can be tricky for learners because they don’t always have direct translations in English. However, once you understand their uses, they become powerful tools to express different nuances in your sentences. In this blog, we’ll explore three essential Japanese particles: も, と, and に. We’ll break down how each one is used, with examples, so you can confidently incorporate them into your speech.

1. も (mo) – “Also,” “Too,” “Even”

The particle も is often used to mean “also,” “too,” or “even.” It connects items or actions that share a common feature, and it’s used to add emphasis or highlight similarity.

Usage 1: Adding similarity

• Example:
  私わたしも行いきます (わたしもいきます)
  “I am going too.”
  In this case, も shows that the speaker is doing the same thing as someone else (probably someone who is going somewhere).

Usage 2: To emphasize a broader scope

• Example:
  日本語にほんごも英語えいごも話はなせます (にほんごもえいごもはなせます)
  “I can speak both Japanese and English.”
  Here, も is used after both “Japanese” and “English” to indicate that the speaker can speak both languages.

Usage 3: With negative sentences to mean “not even”

• Example:
  昨日きのうは何なにも食たべなかった (きのうはなにもたべなかった)
  “I didn’t eat anything yesterday.”
  In this case, も is used in the negative sentence, showing that the speaker didn’t eat anything, emphasizing the total absence of food.

2. と (to) – “And,” “With,” “Quotation Marker”

The particle と serves multiple functions: it can mean “and,” “with,” or be used to indicate a quote.

Usage 1: Listing items (and)

• Example:
  りんごとバナナを食たべます
  “I eat apples and bananas.”
  と connects the nouns, showing that both items are part of the action.

Usage 2: Indicating “with” (someone or something)

• Example:
  友達ともだちと映画えいがを見みました (ともだちとえいがをみました)
  “I watched a movie with my friend.”
  In this case, と indicates the person you are doing something with.

Usage 3: Quotation Marker

• Example:
  彼かれは「行いきたくない」と言いいました (かれは「いきたくない」といいました)
  “He said, ‘I don’t want to go.'”
  Here, と is used to mark direct speech or a quote.

3. に (ni) – “To,” “At,” “On,” “For,” “In”

The particle に is a versatile and frequently used particle in Japanese, serving many purposes. It typically indicates direction, location, or a specific time.

Usage 1: Indicating direction (to a place)

• Example:
  学校がっこうに行いきます (がっこうにいきます)
  “I am going to school.”
  Here, に marks the destination or direction of movement.

Usage 2: Indicating time (only for days of the week and numeric time)

• Example:
  三時さんじに会あいましょう (さんじにあいましょう)
  “Let’s meet at 3 o’clock.”
  に is used to specify the time of the meeting.

Usage 3: Indicating a location of existence (at)

• Example:
  公園にいます (こうえんにいます)
  “I am at the park.”
  In this case, に indicates where someone or something is located.

Usage 4: Indicating purpose (for)

• Example:
  図書館に勉強しに行きます (としょかんにべんきょうしにいきます)
  “I go to the library for studying.”
  Here, に marks the purpose of going to the library.

Summary

Let’s review the key uses of も, と, and に:

• も: “Also,” “Too,” “Even” – used to add similarity, emphasis, or to indicate a lack of something in negative sentences.
• と: “And,” “With,” “Quotation Marker” – used to connect items, indicate with whom you are doing something, or mark direct quotes.
• に: “To,” “At,” “On,” “For,” “In” – used to indicate direction, time, location, and purpose.

Understanding how to use these particles in different contexts will help you express a wide range of meanings in Japanese. So, practice using them in your sentences and see how they enrich your language skills!

If you want to learn Japanese, improve your skills, or connect with native speakers and other learners, we can help. We offer one-on-one lessons, a supportive community, and on demand courses.

Website: nihongonana.com
Email: support@nihongonana.com

✅Book 1-on-1 lessons: https://nihongonana.com/lessons/
✅Join our community: https://nihongonana.com/community/
✅Access courses: https://nihongonana.com/courses/