Can you learn Japanese with Detective Conan? Let’s investigate how this captivating detective anime can actually help you learn Japanese. This show is a clever work teeming with crime-solving, puzzles, and a plethora of daily situations, which may prove to be an excellent tool for studying Japanese. This article is a continuation of our “Learning Japanese with Anime” series, where we’ve broken down some of the most iconic anime, Attack on Titan, Naruto, One Piece, and My Hero Academia. This time, we will be putting Detective Conan on trial.

Why Learn Japanese with Detective Conan?

Anime often has a reputation for being unrealistic for learning practical Japanese, however, most do give you exposure to a lot of natural conversation. Detective Conan is no exception, being filled with useful dialogue and language that is very effective for natural Japanese practice.

If you are pursuing the immersion method for language learning, the show has over 1000 episodes, providing plenty of material to dive into. It’s an engaging language reservoir for a wide range of social situations, regional dialects, and everyday conversation. This makes the show perfect for both beginners and intermediate-level learners.

Dialogue:

The anime title consists of very useful dialogue that centers around daily life, work/school, and even introduces new topics since each episode would be about different characters, their interests, and lifestyles. Also, due to the crime-solving theme, there is a lot of conversation about animate/inanimate objects, space, measurements, and moving parts. This is great practice for understanding how to properly use language regarding these everyday things and objects.

Varied Speech Styles And Accents:

Certain characters, such as Heiji Hattori who is from Osaka, have regional accents. This can be useful exposure to different dialects in Japan. In addition to the recurring cast, each episode introduces unique characters of differing ages, backgrounds, and personalities allowing for a wide range of speech styles we can learn from.

Formal And Casual Language:

Detective Conan frequently uses both formal and casual forms of speaking which are important distinctions in Japanese. Adult characters often speak formally to other adults especially those considered of high social position. One of the most frequent words in the show is 社長(shachou) meaning president/director. You can expect to hear a lot of formal language around these ‘important’ characters.

Wide Range of Vocabulary:

The vocabulary reflects more relatable settings one would likely be exposed in day to day life in Japan. It also has many words surrounding police work and crime solving. It consists of language that isn’t too complicated for younger audiences but it doesn’t talk down to them either. This enables the show to be a great resource to introduce lots of new words. Below is a short list from the 100 most frequently used words from the show:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
犯人	はんにん han’nin	Culprit
部屋	へや heya	Room
事件	じけん jiken	Crime case, incident
音	おと oto	Sound, noise
電話	でんわ denwa	Phone, call
警部	けいぶ keibu	Police inspector
遺体	いたい itai	Corpse, remains
殺害	さつがい satsugai	To kill, murder
被害	ひがい higai	Injury, harm
社長	しゃちょう shachou	Company president, manager

Getting Started Learning Japanese with Detective Conan

Detective Conan is great for both beginners and intermediate learners due to its family-oriented nature while still containing more complex dialogue.

For Beginners:

For absolute beginners, starting off with subtitles would allow you to make the most out of learning Japanese with Detective Conan. However, listening actively and paying attention to the actual dialogue is the most effective for picking up new words. We recommend using an app or a notebook to record new vocabulary you pick up and drill into your memory.

For Intermediate Learners:

If you already have some Japanese abilities, try going without the subtitles. I know it can be intimidating at first and may take time to adjust. But stick with it and don’t worry about understanding every single word. You can always pause and go back to see if you missed something. The show is meant for all audiences, including kids around 10 and older, so the show utilizes repetitive language and ideas to help younger audiences keep up while still being appealing to adults. This makes the show a perfect balance of complex and simple dialogue for intermediate learners.

Key Phrases and Expressions

Here are some common phrases and expressions that could prove useful to familiarize when watching the show:

犯人はあなただ！(hanin wa anatada): The culprit is you!

名探偵 (meitantei): Great or famous detective and is used in the Japanese name of the show, 名探偵コナン(meitantei conan). 探偵(tantei) by itself means private detective.

刑事 (keiji): Police detective or police investigator, they often handle criminal investigations

捜査 (sousa): Criminal investigations, another term often used for investigating is 調査(chousa) which can be used outside of crime.

わかったんだよ！この事件の真相が… (wakattandayo! konojiken no shinsou ga…): I know the truth behind this case!

Key Japanese Quotes from Detective Conan

Shinichi’s Catchphrase: There’s Always One Truth

Shinichi’s most memorable and quotable catchphrase, best translated as “One truth will always prevail!”. He says this throughout the show since he knows there is one truth to the case and it is up to him as a detective to find it.

• Japanese: 真実はいつも一つ！
• Romaji: Shinjitsu wa itsumo hitotsu!
• English: There is always one truth!

Breaking down the sentence:

真実はいつも一つ！

真実	は	いつも	一つ
shinjitsu	wa	itsumo	hitotsu
Truth	Subject particle	Always	One (count)

Conan’s Ripoff From Sherlock Holmes

A recurring theme of the show is how much Conan admires Sherlock Holmes. Even the name he gives himself comes from the author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The line by our main protagonist, Conan, echoes a quote from the famous Sherlock Holmes novels:

• Japanese: 不可能な物を除外していって残った物が、たとえどんなに信じられなくても、それが真相なんだ。
• Romaji: fuganouna mono wo jogai shiteitte nokotta monoga, tatoe donna ni shinjirarenakutemo, sore ga shinso nanda. 
• English: When you eliminate the impossible, whatever’s remaining, no matter how unbelievable, is the truth.
• Original Sherlock Holmes Quote: When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth

Breaking Down The Sentence:

不可能な物を除外していって

不可能な	物	を	除外していって
fuganouna	mono	o	jogaishiteitte
Impossible	Things	Object particle	Eliminate/exclude

残った物が、たとえどんなに信じられなくても、それが真相なんだ。

残った物	が	たとえ	どんなに	信じられなくても	それ	が	真相なんだ
nokottamono	ga	tatoe	donnani	shinjirarenakutemo	sore	ga	shinsounanda
Remaining things	subject particle	Even it, although	no matter how	unbelievable	that	subject particle	(is the) truth

Heiji Hattori’s Famous Quote

Heiji Hattori is close friend to Conan and a famous highschool detective from Osaka. His most popular line couldn’t have been said more eloquently as it shows his intelligence, maturity, and even his regional dialect:

• Japanese: 命には限りがあるから大事なんや… 限りがあるからがんばれるんやで…
• Romaji: Inochi ni wa kagiri ga arukara daijinan ya… kagiri ga arukara ganbareru n’yade…
• English: Life is limited, that’s why it’s so important. Since there’s a limit, we can do our best.

Breaking down the sentence:

命には限りがあるから大事なんや…

命	には	限り	がある	から	大事	なんや
Inochi	niwa	kagiri	ga aru	kara	daiji	nanaya
Life	Subject paricle	Limit, finite	has/have	since, because	important	Osaka/Kansai Regional nuance

限りがあるからがんばれるんやで…

限り	がある	から	頑張れるん	やで
kagiri	ga aru	kara	ganbarerun	yade
Life	Has, there is	because, since	to do one’s best	Osaka/Kansai Regional nuance

Tips To Successfully Learning Japanese With Detective Conan

Based on the quotes I shared earlier, there are plenty of really cool, well-written lines you can try to learn and remember to level up your Japanese. If you really want to get serious about reinforcing new language with Detective Conan, here are a few tips that could help:

• Use Flashcard Apps (Like Anki): Detective Conan may introduce a lot of new vocabulary and grammar, so in order to ingrain them into memory, using flashcard apps that use spaced repetition is a very effective method of memorizing and drilling new material.
• Take Note of Character Personalities: Different characters will have different mannerisms, regional dialects, and unique linguistic nuances. This makes the show a great resource for a wide range of Japanese language exposure, but keeping track of characters who speak differently and why (like Heiji Hattori speaking in Kansai-ben) may help clear up some confusion.  
• Visual Learning: In addition to great dialogue around solving criminal cases, there is plenty of visuals to go along with the explanations. This allows you to see exactly what is being described which will no doubt be helpful in picking up the language.
• Pay Attention To Context And Humor: It shows the daily life of Japan and the different cultural contexts involved in different situations. There is also plenty of humor, which will help to pick up more playful and organic language.
• Pause and Repeat: Feel like you missed something or heard a new word? Pausing and repeating scenes is a great way to reinforce new material or ensure you’re understanding everything you need to. If one scene is just going way over your head, try that scene alone with subtitles and see what you’re missing (this does still help with picking up the language).

Closing Thoughts On Learning Japanese With Detective Conan

Learning Japanese with Detective Conan not only provides plenty of Japanese language practice but it’s very entertaining and rewarding. The series consists of great storytelling overflowing with well-written mysteries and puzzles that you feel like you’re solving alongside the characters. This, along with each episode featuring different situations, events, and unique characters, the show is a rich resource for a wide range of language in everyday Japan.

So, as Conan likes to say, 「真実はいつも一つ! (shinjitsu wa itsumo hitotsu)」or “One truth always prevails!” and the truth in this case is that Detective Conan is a remarkable instrument for practicing Japanese! If you want to practice what you learn and hear from Detective Conan, try out our classes!

FAQ

Is Detective Conan good for learning Japanese?

Yes, Detective Conan is an amazing resource for learning Japanese. It offers a wide range of characters with different regional dialects, interests, and personalities. Each episode features different situations usually involving daily life activities in Japan. The language in the investigations involves words for police, detectives, and how to describe specific objects and moving parts. These are all excellent for practicing natural Japanese conversation.

Is Detective Conan Japanese difficult?

The Japanese contains a mix of complex and simple language. The show is meant to be appealing to both children and adults so there is more repetitive language and a lot of visuals to go along with dialogue. So, it’s perfect listening practice for intermediate level Japanese learners but beginners can learn a lot too with help of subtitles.

Is Detective Conan popular in Japan?

Yes, Detective Conan is one of the most popular anime in Japan today. They consistently rank one of the highest views weekly. And the movies are some of the highest grossing animations to hit Japan’s theaters.

What is the hardest level of Japanese?

On the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) scale, the N1 is the most difficult level. This level consists of very rigorous academic vocabulary, reading material, and kanji.

How intelligent is Detective Conan?

Detective Conan, before he was transformed into a child, was a prodigy high school detective (which is still quite young). So, he is basically a genius as a child detective since he still has the brains of his former self. As a child/highschool kid, he is able to solve complicated cases with very little information before any adults do. This makes him far beyond average intelligence.

Feature Image from Seiyu Wiki

In our final episode of the “Learning Japanese with Anime” series, following our guides on Naruto, One Piece, and My Hero Academia, we dive into the dark and gripping world of Attack on Titan 進撃の巨人, Shingeki no Kyojin. Known for its intense story, deep character development, and complex themes, Attack on Titan is an excellent anime for learning Japanese, especially for those interested in more formal and dramatic language styles. Let’s explore how this popular series can enhance your language skills.

A Quick Jump To…

• Why Learn Japanese with Attack on Titan?
• Getting Started with Attack on Titan
• Examples from Attack on Titans
• Important Kanji in Attack on Titan
• Recommended Episodes for Beginners
• Tips for Success
• FAQ

Why Learn Japanese with Attack on Titan?

Attack on Titan provides a rich learning environment for Japanese learners because of its:

Dramatic Dialogue: The anime features intense conversations filled with determination, fear, and strategy, which helps you understand more formal and emotional language.

Varied Speech Styles: Characters range from civilians to military personnel, offering a range of speech patterns from casual to highly formal.

Historical and Military Vocabulary: The series introduces unique vocabulary related to warfare, history, and military ranks, which is helpful for advanced learners.

Getting Started with Attack on Titan

To get the most out of Attack on Titan while learning Japanese, follow these steps:

Choose Your Viewing Style: If you’re a beginner, begin with Japanese audio and English subtitles. As you progress, switch to Japanese subtitles, and eventually watch without subtitles to challenge your listening comprehension.

Focus on Key Phrases and Expressions The series is filled with recurring phrases that reflect its intense themes. Here are some examples:

• 進撃 Shingeki – Advancement” or “Attack” (as in Shingeki no Kyojin – Attack on Titan).
• 自由 Jiyū – “Freedom.” This word is central to the story’s themes of liberation and autonomy.
• 人類の希望 Jinrui no kibō – “Humanity’s hope,” often referenced by characters discussing their fight against the Titans.
• 駆逐してやる Kuchiku shite yaru! – “I’ll exterminate them!” This is Eren Yeager’s signature declaration against the Titans.

Understand Character Speech Styles: Different characters have distinct speaking styles that reflect their personalities and backgrounds. Eren speaks passionately and informally, while characters like Captain Levi use a more formal, commanding tone.

Practice with Intense Scenes: Select high-stakes scenes featuring complex dialogue. These moments are great for learning military and formal language and practicing listening skills under stress.

Learn Key Kanji and Vocabulary: Keep a list of new kanji and vocabulary you encounter—practice writing and using these words in sentences to reinforce your learning.

Examples from Attack on Titans

Example 1: Eren’s Determination

Eren Yeager is known for his fierce determination and desire to defeat the Titans:

• Japanese: 駆逐してやる！この世から一匹残らず！
• Romaji: Kuchiku shite yaru! Kono yo kara ippiki nokorazu!
• English: I’ll exterminate them! Every last one of them is from this world!

Breaking down the sentence:

• 駆逐 (Kuchiku): Exterminate
• してやる (shite yaru): Will do (with strong determination)
• この世 (Kono yo): This world
• から (kara): From
• 一匹残らず (Ippiki nokorazu): Not a single one left

Example 2 Mikasa’s Loyalty

Mikasa Ackerman is fiercely loyal to Eren and often expresses her resolve to protect him:

• Japanese: エレンを守る。それが私の使命だ。
• Romaji: Eren o mamoru. Sore ga watashi no shimei da.
• English: Protecting Eren. That is my mission.

Breaking down the sentence:

• エレン (Eren): Eren
• を (o): Object marker
• 守る (Mamoru): To protect
• それ (Sore): That
• が (ga): Subject marker
• 私 (Watashi): I, me
• の (no): Possessive particle
• 使命 (Shimei): Mission
• だ (da): Is (informal)

Example 3  Armin’s Hope

Armin Arlert often speaks about hope and the future of humanity:

• Japanese: 人類には未来がある。それを信じることが、我々の唯一の希望だ。
• Romaji: Jinrui ni wa mirai ga aru. Sore o shinjiru koto ga, wareware no yuiitsu no kibō da.
• English: Humanity has a future. Believing in that is our only hope.

Breaking down the sentence:

• 人類 (Jinrui): Humanity
• には (ni wa): Topic marker (for emphasizing)
• 未来 (Mirai): Future
• がある (ga aru): Exists (there is)
• それ (Sore): That
• を (o): Object marker
• 信じる (Shinjiru): To believe
• こと (koto): Thing (concept)
• が (ga): Subject marker
• 我々 (Wareware): We, us (formal)
• の (no): Possessive particle
• 唯一 (Yuiitsu): Only, unique
• 希望 (Kibō): Hope
• だ (da): Is (informal)

Important Kanji in Attack on Titan

The series includes several key kanji that are essential for understanding the story’s themes and dialogues:

• 巨人 (Kyojin) – Titan | Example: 超大型巨人 (Chō-ōgata Kyojin) – Colossal Titan
• 自由 (Jiyū) – Freedom | Example: 自由を勝ち取る (Jiyū o kachitoru) – To win freedom
• 調査兵団 (Chōsa Heidan) – Survey Corps | Example: 調査兵団の一員 (Chōsa Heidan no ichi-in) – A member of the Survey Corps
• 壁 (Kabe) – Wall | Example: 壁の中 (Kabe no naka) – Inside the wall
• 戦闘 (Sentō) – Battle | Example: 戦闘準備 (Sentō junbi) – Battle preparations
• 命 (Inochi) – Life | Example: 命を懸ける (Inochi o kakeru) – To risk one’s life

Recommended Episodes for Beginners

For those new to Japanese or Attack on Titan, here are some recommended episodes:

Episode 1: “To You, in 2000 Years: The Fall of Shiganshina, Part 1”

This episode introduces the main characters and provides simple dialogue and vocabulary.

Episode 5: “First Battle: The Struggle for Trost, Part 1”

Features action-packed scenes and military vocabulary.

Episode 25: “Wall: Assault on Stohess, Part 3”

Offers more complex dialogue and intense character interactions.

Tips for Success

• Use Flashcards for Military Terms: Since Attack on Titan includes a lot of military vocabulary, creating flashcards can help you remember these terms.
• Study Character Motivations: Understanding why characters say certain things can help with comprehension and provide context to the language used.
• Engage with the Community: Discuss episodes with other fans to reinforce your learning and gain new insights.
• Pause and Repeat: Don’t hesitate to pause and repeat scenes to catch every detail and improve your listening skills.

Learning Japanese with Attack on Titan is an intense and rewarding experience. The series offers rich vocabulary, varied speech styles, and cultural insights, making it a great tool for advancing your language skills. Remember to practice regularly, pay attention to character dialogue, and use this anime to deepen your understanding of Japanese. Stay committed, enjoy the journey, and embrace the challenge like the characters in Attack on Titan!

Good luck、 and 勇気を持て！ (Yūki o motte!) – Have courage!

You Might Be Wondering…

What level of Japanese should I have to learn from Attack on Titan?

Attack on Titan is best suited for intermediate to advanced learners due to its complex vocabulary, formal language, and dramatic dialogues. However, beginners can still benefit by focusing on commonly used phrases and building their vocabulary over time.

Are there any specific grammar points I can learn from Attack on Titan?

Yes, Attack on Titan uses a variety of grammar structures, including formal and polite forms, commands, and passive forms. Pay attention to how characters speak in different situations to learn the nuances of these grammatical points. Learn more Basic Japanese Grammar

Unfortunately, nont of us are omniscient like Saiki K. (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.), which means that we have to study hard to get better at Japanese. Or do we? Some people say learning Japanese with Anime works for them, which seems like a dream come true!

This tactic has become one of Japanese students’ favorite study methods, but does it actually help you learn? If it is, how do you effectively use anime to become better at Japanese? Never fear – we may not be a strong superhero like All Might (My Hero Academia), but we are here to help save the day (and your study session)!

So Can We Learn Japanese with Anime?

Well, the short answer is yes… and no. The long answer is a bit more complicated; like all study methods, using anime may work for some and not others.

There are both benefits to using anime to study as well as some issues.

However, it can be said for sure that you should not try to learn Japanese by using anime alone; not only will this make it hard for you to pick up complicated grammar, but the language that is used in anime is not always the same as in real life.

On the other hand, anime can be used as a tool when studying, which is what we’ll take a look at now.

Benefits of Using Anime for Japanese Learning

One of the biggest benefits of anime is that it can be great listening practice! Although you may not pick up every detail the first time something is said like L (Death Note), it’s a good way to get used to hearing spoken Japanese in actual conversations.

You can always replay sections (or slow them down) and check the subtitles if you need to. Additionally, anime can expose you to a variety of Japanese accents and other ways of speaking that you wouldn’t normally hear in a classroom. You also may be able to pick up on some new vocabulary words along the way!

Another benefit is that characters often use informal and gender-specific speech. Usually, whenever you start learning Japanese, you begin with a formal, neutral speech before eventually moving on to different honorific levels and pronouns.

Whenever you reach this point, watching anime can be helpful to practice distinguishing between these. Who uses what honorific level at what time? When do characters refer to themselves as わたし (watashi) as opposed to おれ (ore) or うち (uchi)? (If you’re confused about the pronouns we just mentioned, try checking out our article about that here. 

Finally, using anime is simply a great way to keep learning fun! If all you do is read textbooks and quiz yourself over kanji, then studying is bound to become tedious very quickly. The more you dislike studying, the less likely you are to keep doing it – so finding fun things to engage with is important.

Shortcomings

However, using anime does have its drawbacks. For one thing, it’s very easy to rely on subtitles and not actually pay attention to the Japanese. You can get caught up in the story and the characters and, next thing you know, you’ve completely forgotten to listen to the Japanese!

This is especially true if you’re still a beginner, as it is hard to understand spoken dialogue with limited knowledge and vocabulary.

Similarly, it’s also easy to watch too much anime under the guise of studying and not spend time working on other things. While listening is a very important skill to have, reading, writing, and speaking are all just as important. You can’t practice these other elements of Japanese if you are spending all of your time watching a show!

Lastly, the Japanese that is used in anime is usually not the same as in real life. Pronunciations are often exaggerated, words can be made up, and characters may use stronger words and expressions than what is actually socially acceptable.

Thus, anime isn’t a great guide for how to properly speak Japanese. You can see some examples of this in our article about anime phrases to avoid.

How to Use Anime to Learn Japanese – The Right Way!

So, should you use anime to study Japanese? The answer is yes – but only if you do it properly. There are a few key elements to remember when using anime, which we’ll outline for you below.

Luckily, they are easier than Saitama (One Punch Man)’s workout routine of 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10K run daily!

Use Subtitles to Your Advantage

While we did just say that subtitles are bad, they can also be good too! There are a variety of ways that you can use subtitles, but here’s a general idea of what we would recommend: first, watch the episode with English (or your native language) subtitles turned on. Enjoy the story and become familiar with what happens.

Then, if you’re at an advanced level of Japanese, turn off the subtitles completely and watch the episode again; this way, you are forced to rely on the Japanese to follow with the story. If this is too hard, you can also turn on Japanese subtitles and read along.

Sometimes, you can download the subtitles for specific anime. Doing this allows you to easily search online for vocabulary or grammar items you don’t understand.

Make sure you don’t skim over items you don’t understand – that defeats the whole purpose of studying! Treat these items the same as you would ones from a textbook (memorize them, practice them, etc.); then, when these items pop up again, you can pick them up easier.

It’s a good idea to then rewatch the episode again after studying with the subtitles to hear (and understand!) that new vocab or grammar in context.

Try Shadowing

No, this isn’t a move from Naurto. Shadowing with language is the practice of reading a text out loud along with a native speaker – in this case, reading the Japanese subtitles along with the characters or narrator¹.

This is a great way to get a feel for pacing, tone, pronunciation, and intonation in spoken Japanese. BUT! You’ll have to be careful; as we said before, sometimes the Japanese in anime isn’t an accurate reflection of normal Japanese. Some characters use extremely high pitches or draw out syllables for dramatic effect.

This method is probably best used by those at the advanced and intermediate levels, as you’ll have a better idea of “normal” Japanese by then. If you do try shadowing, it is also a good idea to follow along with someone similar to yourself (gender, age, etc.); that way, you get a good practice using the correct honorifics.

You can also record yourself while shadowing to get a better idea of how you actually sound.

Be Picky With Your Anime

Another important point is to watch the right kind of anime. While shows like Mob Psycho 100 and Tokyo Ghoul are fun, they tend to be filled with vocabulary that is highly specific or made up for specific concepts.

This is pretty typical of fantasy or sci-fi anime! Instead of spending your all time picking up those types of words, try to watch anime that includes more “normal” vocabulary that you can use in daily life. Genres like romance, slice-of-life, mystery, and high school dramas are safer bets.

Anime made for children is also useful! You can get a head start on picking out a show like what we mentioned with our recommendations here.

Check Out the Source Material

As you probably already know, many anime are actually based on manga. Not in just a general idea of the plot and characters, but many take dialogue and images directly from the original comics.

If you’re struggling to maintain good study habits with anime alone, this may be a good option for you. Being able to read the story in Japanese instead of just listening can help you see the vocabulary and grammar in a new light – especially if you are a visual learner. You’ll be able to easily highlight new items and review old ones.

It can also give you something to compare: where does the anime change the dialogue and how? Is the manga easier or harder to understand than the anime? Being able to find these differences may give you extra motivation and make you say waku waku like Anya (SPYxFAMILY)!

Conclusion

Sadly, watching anime isn’t a magical technique that will make you suddenly fluent in Japanese. In order to see results, you’ll still have to put in some serious hours studying and practicing.

However, using anime can be a great way to engage with the language and have fun while doing it. With the above pointers and some resolve, anime can be the tool that will boost your level of Japanese to the next level.

As Koro Sensei (Assassination Classroom) says, “Stay determined – not impatient nor discouraged – and with repeated trial and error, you’re bound to reach a splendid outcome eventually.”

Want to learn more Japanese? Take our free Japanese language assessment test

Get in touch with us and find out how we can help you achieve your Japanese language target. If you’re unsure where you are, we provide a free Japanese-level check. You can also contact us at info@cotoacademy.com for any questions about course options and details.

If you know any Japanese or listen to the language closely, you would have come across a little thing called particles (助詞). If you are using anime or dramas etc. to boost your Japanese, you might have a vague understanding of particles (without really knowing what they are called). You probably have come across something similar to the following:

• 「俺がやる」ore ga yaru – I will do it! (Line from Naruto)
• 「私はアメリカ人です」watashi wa amerikajin desu – I am an American.

The bolded “が” (ga)” and “は” (wa) in these examples are particles and they were used to indicate the subject, 俺, and 私 (“I”).  But what actually are particles?

What Are Japanese Particles (助詞)? 

In short, particles indicate the role of nouns and verbs in a sentence.

In linguistic terms (for the language nerds!) Japanese is an agglutinative language, meaning that words are composed of morphemes or word parts/elements. Other agglutinating languages include Korean, Mongolian, Turkish, and Finnish. 

Conversely, English belongs to the “inflecting language” family, where nouns and verbs change to express things like tense. This is why the language’s structure is quite different.

So, particles are a type of morpheme that attach to nouns to convey information about its function in the sentence. Particles by themselves do not carry any meaning, but do when attached to nouns.

Still not making sense, right? Not to worry, since particles don’t exist in English, they are very difficult concepts to grasp. So let’s take a look at some examples: 

1. 私がハンバーガーを食べる (わたしがはんばーがーをたべる) 

Watashi ga hanbāgā o taberu – I eat a hamburger.

The particles are:

が (ga, subject marker): designates 私(watashi) as the subject

を (wo, object particle): indicates ハンバーガー as the object of the sentence or the thing being eaten by the subject. 

2. 私は公園で走る (わたしはこうえんではしる) 

Watashi wa kōen de hashiru – I run in the park. 

The grammatical particles are:

は (wa): designates 私(watashi, “I”) as the subject.

で (de): designates 公園 (kōen, “park”) as the place where the subject is running. You can think of it as saying “at”.

So far, we have just introduced four particles, but even at a beginner level, you will be exposed to about 11 common particles, including the following:

 “が” (ga), “は” (wa), “を” (wo), “に” (ni), “で” (de), “へ” (e), “も” (mo), “と” (to), “から” (kara), “まで” (made), “より” (yori). 

This may seem like a lot to take in at once, so feel free to save or refer to this cheat sheet which provides simple short-hands to help you understand and remember each of the particles’ functions.

Japanese Particles List: 11 Must-Know Grammar Rules

We will now explore each of these particles in a bit more detail so we can explain how they work and how they can be very useful.

1.  が (Pronunciation: ga)

1. 私の家族が東京に来ました (わたしのかぞくがとうきょうにきました)

Watashi no kazoku ga Tokyo ni kimashita – My family came to Tokyo.

The particle is “が” and it indicates “私の家族” (my family) as the subject of the sentence. However, there are 2 other main functions of “が” beyond being a subject marker. 

2. In this sentence, the function of “が” is for exclusivity:

私が日本人です (わたしがにほんじんです)

Watashi ga nihonjin desu – I am Japanese.

In this case, the sentence does not just state that the subject, “I,” is Japanese; it also gives the sentence the context that “I am the one who is Japanese, not someone else.”

It implies excluding the possibility of others being Japanese.

3. The last function is as the subject in a question.

誰がアイスを食べたんですか (だれがあいすをたべたんですか)

Dare ga aisu o tabetandesuka – Who ate the ice cream?

In this example, the particle “が” follows the question word (誰, who).

2. は (Pronunciation: wa)

1. 私は日本人です (わたしはにほんじんです)。

Watashi wa nihonjin desu – I am Japanese.

The particle is the essential “は” in Japanese grammar! Although written as “は” in hiragana, its pronunciation is “wa.” The function of “は” can be broadly divided into three main uses. The first is to introduce the topic (Topic marker).

For example, in the sentence “私は日本人です” (Watashi wa nihonjin desu), “私” (I) before “は” is treated as the topic of the sentence.

While the English translation is “I am Japanese,” a more literal translation, reflecting the grammatical meaning, would be “As for me, I’m Japanese.” It might be a little difficult to understand, so let’s look at another example.

2. ウサギは耳が長いです。(うさぎはみみがながいです)

Usagi wa mimi ga nagai desu – As for the rabbit, its ears are long.

In Japanese, both “は” and “が” can appear in the same sentence. If both “は” and “が” are used to indicate the subject, it would seem like there are two subjects in this sentence, which would make the meaning unclear.

In this case, “は” marks the topic (“ウサギ” or rabbit), and “が” marks the subject (“耳” or ears, specifically the ears of the rabbit). Since the topic and the subject sometimes refer to the same thing, “は” and “が” might seem to serve similar functions, but there is an important difference.

3. ピザは好きですが、パスタは好きじゃありません。(ぴざはすきですが、ぱすたはすきじゃありません)

Piza wa sukidesuga, pasuta wa sukija arimasen – I like pizza, but I don’t like pasta.

“は” also has a function of contrast. In the case above, “は” contrasts “ピザ” (pizza) with “パスタ” (pasta). The contrast between the two items is clear, but even when only one item is mentioned, for example:

コーラは好きじゃありません。(こーらはすきじゃありません)

Ko-ra wa sukija arimasen – I don’t like coke (but I like other sodas).

Even if you are only referring to one item, it can imply that “other things” (such as other soda) are liked. So, “は” can change the context of the sentence when used instead of “が” in the sentence above.

3.を (Pronunciation: o)

本を読みます。(ほんをよみます)

Hon o yomimasu – I read a book.

The third particle is “を.” (Note that the pronunciation of this hiragana “を” is “o,” not “wo!”)

“を” marks the direct object of the verb. To be more specific, it indicates the thing (book) is directly affected by the verb (read).

4. に (Pronunciation: ni)

1. キッチンに猫がいます。(きっちんにねこがいます)

Kicchin ni neko ga imasu – There is a cat in the kitchen.

“に” has many functions, and it’s one of the particles that many learners are often confused about.

So, to put it simply, there are 3 common uses: the first use is to indicate the location of something, as shown in the sentence above. The particle lets us understand the cat is located in the kitchen.

2. 毎朝7時に起きます。(まいあさ7じにおきます)

Maiasa shichiji ni okimasu – I get up at 7 o’clock.

The second use is for indicating time. Using “に” after a specific time (such as hours or dates) to express when something happens.

3. 私は母に花をあげました。

Watashi wa haha ni hana o agemashita. (I gave flowers to my mother.)

The third use is for indirect objects. In the sentence above, the direct object of the verb “あげます” (give) is “花” (flowers), and the indirect object is “母” (mother).

You need to use the particle “に” to make it clear your mother is who you gave the flowers to. 

5. で (Pronunciation: de)

1. オフィスで会議をします。(おふぃすでかいぎをします）

Ofisu de kaigi o shimasu – We have a meeting in the office.

One of the main functions of “で” is to indicate the location of an action. As demonstrated above, “で” marks the place where the action (the meeting) is taking place. You can think of “で” as saying “at” or, in certain cases, “in.” 

It’s not a perfect translation, but for now I think this will be a useful shorthand in remembering how to use this particle. 

2. フォークで食べます。(ふぉーくでたべます)

Fo-ku de tabemasu – I eat with a fork.

Another use of “で” is to express the means or methods of how you did something. Here, “で” indicated that eating was done with a fork.

6. へ (Pronunciation: e)

1. 台風は東へ向かっています。(たいふうはひがしへむかっています）

Taihu wa higashi e mukatteimasu – The typhoon is heading toward the east.

It’s written as “へ” in hiragana, but its pronunciation is “e”. The function of “へ” is to indicate the destination or direction of movement. At first glance, it may seem similar to “に,” but “へ” expresses a meaning that is more along the lines of “toward” or “in the direction of.”

For example,

日本に行きます。(にほんにいきます)

Nihon ni ikimasu – I’m going to Japan.

日本へ行きます。(にほんへいきます)

Nihon e ikimasu – I’m going toward Japan.

In the first sentence, “日本に行きます,” the destination, Japan, is clear. However, in the second sentence, “日本へ行きます,” implies “I’m going in the direction of Japan,” which carries a more nuanced meaning. It could mean that I might pass through other countries on the way or that I’m heading toward Japan but might end up somewhere else.

That said, in most cases, people are heading directly to their destination and will actually reach it, so the meaning is usually almost the same whether you use “に” or “へ.”

7. も (Pronunciation: mo)

1. 私もです。(わたしもです)

Watashi mo desu – Me too.

“も” indicates addition or, simply put, means “also” or “too”. For example, in the sentence above, you are adding “私” (I) in response to someone else’s opinion.

2. ショッピングモールで、何も買いませんでした。(しょっぴんぐもーるで、なにもかいませんでした)

Shoppingu senta de nani mo kaimasendeshita – I didn’t buy anything in the shopping mall.

Adding も after “何” (nani) will actually somewhat change the meaning of 何, which you probably learnt means “what”. In the above sentence, it means “anything” and can only be used with a negative verb (e.g. not buy, not sleep, etc.). 

For example, you could say something like “何もありません(nani mo arimasen)” meaning “I don’t have anything”. But in English, you can not say “I have anything” since it doesn’t make sense. It is the same in Japanese, saying “何もあります(nani mo arimasu)” is grammatically incorrect.

8. と (Pronunciation: to)

1. ノートとペンを買いました。(のーととぺんをかいました)

Nooto to pen o kaimashita – I bought a notebook and a pen.

There are 2 common functions of “と,” and in the sentence above, its function is to list all relevant items, similar to “and” in English. The key point with “と” is that it refers to all the items, so in this case, it means that the only things bought were a notebook and a pen.

2. 今日大学の友達と電話しました。(きょうだいがくのともだちとでんわしました)

Kyo daigaku no tomodachi to denwa shimashita – Today, I called my university friend.

The above sentence demonstrates the second function, which is to indicate doing something together. You can think of it as saying “with.” Here, “と” shows that the action (making a call) was done with a friend.

9. から (Pronunciation: kara)

1. 家から会社に行きます。(いえからかいしゃにいきます)

Ie kara kaisha ni ikimasu – I go to the office from (my) house.

Basically, “から” means “from”. In the sentence above, it allows the listener to understand the place from where the subject departed. While “に” is used to communicate where the subject is going. But “から” can be used for more than just physical places.

2. 私はいつも午前9時から午後5時まで働きます。(わたしはいつもごぜん9じからごご5じまではたらきます)

Watashi wa itsumo gozen 9 ji kara gogo 5 ji made hatarakimasu – I always work from 9 am to 5 pm

In this example, “から” is used to discuss from which time you work and it’s often used along with the particle “まで” to indicate a range of time you are working. 

10. まで (Pronunciation: made)

飯田橋駅からCoto Japanese Academyまで、歩いてどのくらいかかりますか。(いいだばしえきからCoto Japanese Academyまで、あるいてどのくらいかかりますか)

Iidabashi eki kara Coto Japanese Academy made, aruite donokurai kakarimasuka – How long does it take to walk from Iidabashi Station to Coto Japanese Academy?

“まで” essentially means “until,” so in the example above, you are using から and まで to say “from Iidabashi station until Coto Academy”. You can think of “まで” as indicating a final limit. For example, you could say “30分まで(30 pun made)” to say “until (or up to) 30 mins”. Although often used with “から”, it can be used on its own as well.  

11. より (Pronunciation: yori)

妹は私より背が高いです。(いもうとはわたしよりせがたかいです)

Imoto wa watashi yori se ga takaidesu – My little sister is taller than me.

Lastly, “より,” which means “then.” You use it for making comparisons.

The thing before “より” serves as the reference point, and it expresses how the subject (or topic) compares to it. In the example above, “私” (me) is the reference, and it shows how tall “私の妹” (my little sister) is in comparison.

Essential 11 Japanese Particles Table

Below is a table summarizing the 11 essential Japanese particles discussed above. Feel free to refer to this in conjunction with the Cheat Sheet to help you remember and use these 11 particles.

Particle	Function	Example
が(ga)	Designates subject	いぬがすきです。(I like dogs)
は(ha)	Designates topic	いぬはたべた。(The dog ate)
を(wo, pronounced “o”)	Designates Object	いぬをたべた。(I ate the dog)
に (ni)	Designates to or at a place/time	アメリカにいった。(I went to America)
で (de)	Designates place of action	アメリカでステーキをたべた。(I ate steak in America)
へ (he, pronounced “e”)	Designates movement toward a place	アメリカへいった。(I went toward America)
も (mo)	Indicates addition (”also” or “too”)	にほんもいった。(I went to Japan too)
と (to)	Connects words together (“and”)	いぬとねこがすきです。(I like cats and dogs)
から (kara)	Establishes start point (“from”)	モンゴルからきた。(I came from Mongolia)
まで (made)	Establishes end point (“until”)	でんしゃはしぶやまでいく。(The train goes until Shibuya)
より (yori)	Indicates comparison (“than”)	しんじゅくはよこはまよりいそがしいです。(Shinjuku is busier than Yokohama)

Feel ready to explore particles deeper, check out our blog: Japanese Particles Cheat Sheet: Learn the Essential Particles for JLPT N5 and N4 which provides a cheat sheet with more particles.

Common Mistakes When Using Japanese Particles

With so many particles and some that have similar uses, I’m sure you found it a bit confusing. Here are some common pitfalls people fall into when making Japanese sentences with particles.

“が(Ga)” vs “は(Ha)”

誰はパーティーに行きましたか？(だれはぱーてぃーにいきました) ❌

Dare wa pa-ti- ni ikimashita ka? – Who went to the party?

The correct usage of “が” and “は” in relation to the subject can be pretty confusing, even for advanced learners. As mentioned earlier, the particle used with question words should be “が.” So the correct sentence would be, “誰がパーティーに行きましたか?” (だれがぱーてぃーにいきました – Who went to the party?)

“Ni” vs. “De”

公園に遊びました。(こうえんにあそびました) ❌

Koen ni asobimashita – I played in the park.

This is another very common mistake. Since both “に” and “で” are used to indicate a place, many people get confused about when to use each one.

When expressing a place, “に” refers to the location of something or someone, while “で” indicates the place where an action or event happens. In the example sentence, since “遊ぶ” (to play) is an action, the correct expression should be “公園で遊びました” (I played in the park).

Time + “に”

毎日に散歩します。(まいにちにさんぽします) ❌

Mainichi ni sanpo shimasu – I go for a walk every day.

As mentioned, “に” can indicate time. However, when it come to frequency and not a specific time, you don’t need to use “に.” In the sentence above, “毎日” (every day) doesn’t require “に.” So, the correct sentence would be: “毎日散歩します.” (I walk every day.)

In English, expressions like “9 o’clock” or “March 5th” use prepositions like “on” or “in,” but we don’t use any prepositions with expressions like “every day,” right? It is exactly the same in Japanese; there are time expressions that don’t need a particle.

Key Features of Japanese Particles 

In languages like English, you can form sentences without particles, so you might wonder: Do we really need particles in Japanese? 

Particles make it possible for the Japanese to rearrange the order of nouns and verbs to some extent while still making sense!

In Japanese grammar, the typical word order is: subject → time/frequency → place → object → verb. However, in many cases, changing the word order still conveys the same meaning.

For example:

私がハンバーガーを食べる (Watashi ga hanbāgā o taberu) 

can change to 

→ ハンバーガーを私が食べる (Hanbāgā o watashi ga taberu) 

→ 私が食べるハンバーガーを (Watashi ga taberu hanbāgā o) 

While these rearrangements might sound unnatural, the meaning “I eat a hamburger” remains clear.

Conclusion About Understanding Japanese Particles 

Starting your journey into the world of Japanese can be overwhelming, and particles are no exception. However, as you keep using and studying Japanese, you will get the hang of them. So, exposing yourself to as many Japanese sentences as possible will help you to get accustomed to how they are used in different situations and contexts. Watching anime is a great way to gain exposure in Japanese especially for particles, check out our article recommending Detective Conan.

Just like most grammar in your mother tongue, native Japanese speakers don’t consciously think about particles and just naturally use them to express what they want to. Believe it or not, you will reach this level too as you keep practicing and develop a sense of what feels right for what you want to say.

In Japan, we have the saying “習うより慣れろ” (“ならうよりなれろ” – “It’s better to learn by doing”), so immersing yourself in listening and reading Japanese to develop your own understanding might prove to be one of the most effective methods of learning this rather confusing concept.

The best way to expose yourself to as much Japanese as possible is through our Coto Academy Japanese lessons. The classes immerse you in the Japanese language and will have you practice making sentences with our native teachers. Take a look through our Coto Academy Courses to find lessons that are right for you! 

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