Changes

{{quotebox|Before carrying on with these, it must be noted that although "wa" is pronounced "wa" when spoken, it is always written with the hiragana "ha" (は), even though hiragana does have a "wa" (わ). It is one of those idiosyncrasies of the language you will need to remember. To avoid confusion, the examples will use the spoken "wa", instead of the written "ha".}}

{{quotebox|Before carrying on with these, it must be noted that although "wa" is pronounced "wa" when spoken, it is always written with the hiragana "ha" (は), even though hiragana does have a "wa" (わ). It is one of those idiosyncrasies of the language you will need to remember. To avoid confusion, the examples will use the spoken "wa", instead of the written "ha".}}

In simple terms, "wa" marks the topic of a sentence, while "ga" marks the subject. Whatever comes before "wa" is the topic of the sentence, which will be described by what follows "wa.” This is similar to splitting an English sentence into its [[subject]] and predicate, although the topic is not always the subject in the English sense. "Ga,” whilst doing much the same, links the word or phrase that precedes it to the adjective or verb that immediately follows it.

In simple terms, "wa" (pronounced "wah") marks the topic of a sentence, while "ga" (pronounced "gah", with the "ga" as in "<u>ga</u>te) marks the subject. Whatever comes before "wa" is the topic of the sentence, which will be described by what follows "wa.” This is similar to splitting an English sentence into its [[subject]] and predicate, although the topic is not always the subject in the English sense. "Ga,” whilst doing much the same, links the word or phrase that precedes it to the adjective or verb that immediately follows it.

Using the sentence, "Zou '''wa''' hana '''ga''' nagai desu." (which translates directly as "(As for) the elephant (its) trunk (is) long (it is)", or simply as "The elephant's trunk is long), "wa" highlights the topic of the sentence (Elephant), from the commentary on the topic (its trunk is long), whilst "ga" in this case links ''hana'' (trunk) to the adjective which follows, ''nagain'' (long).

Using the sentence, "Zou '''wa''' hana '''ga''' nagai desu." (which translates directly as "(As for) the elephant (its) trunk (is) long (it is)", or simply as "The elephant's trunk is long), "wa" highlights the topic of the sentence (Elephant), from the commentary on the topic (its trunk is long), whilst "ga" in this case links ''hana'' (trunk) to the adjective which follows, ''nagain'' (long).

==Ni (に)==

==Ni (に)==

"Ni" can be said to be the "direction indicating particle" and its function is to indicate towards whom or what the action of the verb is directed. However, it is simply a structural particle, and although in certain cases can replicate the use of the English "to,” "in,” "at,” or "on,” it has no meaning on its own.

"Ni" (pronounced as the "ny" in "po<u>ny</u>") can be said to be the "direction indicating particle" and its function is to indicate towards whom or what the action of the verb is directed. However, it is simply a structural particle, and although in certain cases can replicate the use of the English "to,” "in,” "at,” or "on,” it has no meaning on its own.

"Ni" can be used as the English "to" when indicating a destination, as in "going to...", thus "I am going to New York next year," is "Rainen Nyu-yoku '''ni''' ikimasu. (Next year New York (to) am going.)"

"Ni" can be used as the English "to" when indicating a destination, as in "going to...", thus "I am going to New York next year," is "Rainen Nyu-yoku '''ni''' ikimasu. (Next year New York (to) am going.)"

To use an example, if I go for a swim in the sea, then the action is "to swim" and the place where it happens is "the sea", which results in the sentence "Umi '''de''' oyoida" (Sea (in) swim). Or if I am in a taxi and need to stop at the next corner, that is where the action is going to occur, so I would say, "Tsugi '''no''' kado '''de''' tomete kudasai", meaning literally, "The corner that is next (''Tsugi '''no''' kado'') (do) stop (do this) for me please."  

To use an example, if I go for a swim in the sea, then the action is "to swim" and the place where it happens is "the sea", which results in the sentence "Umi '''de''' oyoida" (Sea (in) swim). Or if I am in a taxi and need to stop at the next corner, that is where the action is going to occur, so I would say, "Tsugi '''no''' kado '''de''' tomete kudasai", meaning literally, "The corner that is next (''Tsugi '''no''' kado'') (do) stop (do this) for me please."  

Similarly, in the sentence, "Shinkansen '''de''' Oosaka '''e''' ikimash<i></i>ita." (I went by Bullet Train to Osaka" the action of my going to Osaka was performed by the Bullet Train. If I was going to use the Bullet Train at some point in future to go to Osaka, then I would say "Shinkansen '''de''' Oosaka '''ni''' ikimasu. (I am going by Bullet Train to Osaka).

 

Similarly, in the sentence, "Shinkansen '''de''' Ousaka '''e''' ikimash<i></i>ita." (I went by Bullet Train to Osaka" the action of my going to Osaka was performed by the Bullet Train. If I was going to use the Bullet Train at some point in future to go to Osaka, then I would say "Shinkansen '''de''' Ousaka '''ni''' ikimasu. (I am going by Bullet Train to Osaka).

"De" also qualifies an amount or a period of time, indicating that the amount or period indicated should be the maximum required. So, "Zenbu '''de''' senjuu-en desu," means "Together they cost thirty yen" and "Ichi-jikan '''de''' ikemasu" means 'I can be there in one hour."

"De" also qualifies an amount or a period of time, indicating that the amount or period indicated should be the maximum required. So, "Zenbu '''de''' senjuu-en desu," means "Together they cost thirty yen" and "Ichi-jikan '''de''' ikemasu" means 'I can be there in one hour."

Adding a "ka" after interrogative words changes their specific meanings to indefinite meanings. Therefore, if "doko" means "where,” then "doko ka" is the more vague "somewhere.” The difference between the two is the same as asking "Where did you go yesterday?" (Kinou doko '''ni''' ikimash<i></i>ita '''ka''') and "Did you go somewhere yesterday?" (Kinou '''doko ka''' '''ni''' ikimash<i></i>ita '''ka''').

Adding a "ka" after interrogative words changes their specific meanings to indefinite meanings. Therefore, if "doko" means "where,” then "doko ka" is the more vague "somewhere.” The difference between the two is the same as asking "Where did you go yesterday?" (Kinou doko '''ni''' ikimash<i></i>ita '''ka''') and "Did you go somewhere yesterday?" (Kinou '''doko ka''' '''ni''' ikimash<i></i>ita '''ka''').

In informal conversation, "ka" is sometimes expanded to "kana" (かな), which can be translated as "I wonder," or "I guess." If you were wondering who somebody is, but were not quite sure, you could ask, "Ano hito '''wa''' dare '''kana'''." (That person who I wonder). Drawing out the "na", indicates less certainty in what you are speculating about. "Kashira" (かしら) means the same as "kana", but is only used by women.

In informal conversation, "ka" is sometimes expanded to "kana" (かな), which can be translated as "I wonder," or "I guess." If you were wondering who somebody is, but were not quite sure, you could ask, "Ano hito '''wa''' dare '''kana'''." (That person who I wonder). Drawing out the "na", indicates less certainty in what you are speculating about. "Kashira" (かしら) means the same as "kana", but is only used by women.

* "Ano mise '''ni''' iku '''to''' oishii sushi '''ga''' taberareru." - If you go to that restaurant, you can eat delicious sushi (that restaurant go to (if) delicious sushi eat)

* "Ano mise '''ni''' iku '''to''' oishii sushi '''ga''' taberareru." - If you go to that restaurant, you can eat delicious sushi (that restaurant go to (if) delicious sushi eat)

Finally, "to" indicates where an onomatopoeic adverb has been used. Japanese has the quaint mannerism of not just telling you the stars were twinkling, or her heart was beating, but will add in "kare-kare" (for twinkle) or "doki-doki" (for heartbeat) as well as the verb. These are usually written in katakana. For example, "me '''ga''' pika-pika '''to''' kirameita", means "(Her) eyes were "sparkle-sparkle" sparkling."

Finally, "to" indicates where an onomatopoeic adverb has been used. Japanese has the quaint mannerism of not just telling you the stars were twinkling, or her heart was beating, but will add in "kare-kare" (for twinkle) or "doki-doki" (for heartbeat) as well as the verb. These are usually written in katakana. For example, "me '''ga''' pika-pika '''to''' kirameita", means "(Her) eyes were "sparkle-sparkle" (and) sparkling."

"Ya" is much the same as "to" in that it is used to link one or more nouns, except that it is much more vague and it implies that the list is incomplete, or may contain surplus items. It is much the same as saying "Etcetera, etcetera" in English.

"Ya" is much the same as "to" in that it is used to link one or more nouns, except that it is much more vague and it implies that the list is incomplete, or may contain surplus items. It is much the same as saying "Etcetera, etcetera" in English.

In this case, "Kutsu '''ya''' shatsu '''o''' kau", translates as "Buy (things like) shoes, shirt, etc."

In this case, "Kutsu '''ya''' shatsu '''o''' kau", translates as "Buy (things like) shoes, shirt, etc."

==Ne (ね)==

==Ne (ね)==