All different types of Japanese particles

So you probably already know the most important Japanese particles. But if you want to expand your knowledge and learn everything there is about particles, this article is for you. Because there are many particles and they even can be grouped into different categories depending on theur function. In this guide we go in depth on the different types of Japanese particles and what their function is. Here is a list of the types of particles that Japanese has.

• Case-Marking Particles
• Topic-Marking Particle
• Adverbial Particles
• Conjunctive Particles
• Sentence-Ending Particles

Case-Marking Particles (格助詞 – Kaku-joshi)

These are the most fundamental particles, forming the grammatical skeleton of a sentence. Their function is to assign a clear grammatical role to the noun they follow, such as subject, direct object, or location. The most common examples are が (ga), を (o), に (ni), and で (de).

学生が本を読みます。
がくせいがほんをよみます。
Gakusei ga hon o yomimasu.
The student reads a book.

学生 (がくせい) = Student
が = (subject marker particle)
本 (ほん) = Book
を = (direct object marker particle)
読みます (よみます) = to read

Read more about Case-Marking particles in this article

The Topic-Marking Particle (係助詞 – かかりじょし)

This category is famously represented by the particle は (wa). Its function is to set the topic or context for the sentence, telling the listener, “As for this thing we’re talking about…” It does not assign a grammatical case; instead, it often overrides case markers like が or を to shift the sentence’s focus to the topic.

犬は好きです。
いぬはすきです。
Inu wa suki desu.
As for dogs, I like them. (Topic)

犬 (いぬ) = Dog
は = (topic marker particle)
好き (すき) = Like

Adverbial Particles (副助詞 – Fuku-joshi)

These particles add adverb-like meanings to the words they follow, such as addition, limitation, or emphasis. Common examples include も (mo), だけ (dake), and しか (shika). They don’t define a noun’s core role but rather add a layer of nuance to it.

お茶だけ飲みます。
おちゃだけのみます。
Ocha dake nomimasu.
I drink only tea.

お茶 (おちゃ) = Tea
だけ = only, just
飲みます (のみます) = to drink

Conjunctive Particles (接続助詞 – Setsuzoku-joshi)

These are the “conjunction” particles that connect two clauses or sentences. They establish a logical relationship, such as cause-and-effect, contrast, or condition. Examples include から (kara), ので (node), が (ga), and けど (kedo). Their function is to link entire ideas.

時間がないから、タクシーで行きます。
じかんがないから、タクシーでいきます。
Jikan ga nai kara, takushī de ikimasu.
Because I don’t have time, I will go by taxi.

時間 (じかん) = Time
ない = there is not
から = because
タクシー = Taxi
で = by means of
行きます (いきます) = to go

Sentence-Ending Particles (終助詞 – Shū-joshi)

These particles appear only at the very end of a sentence to add tone, emotion, or intent. They manage the flow of conversation and the speaker’s attitude. Key examples are か (ka), ね (ne), and よ (yo). They do not affect the grammatical roles of words within the sentence.

これはペンですよ。
これはぺんですよ。
Kore wa pen desu yo.
This is a pen, I’m telling you!

これ = This
ペン = Pen
です = is
よ = (assertive sentence-ending particle)

Overview of Particles and their Type

Summary Table

Read More:

• Particle guide: How to use particles in Japanese