Japanese Particles Combinations: には, では, and へは

Japanese Particle Power-Ups: Mastering Japanese Particle Combinations like には, では, and へは

Once you’ve gotten comfortable with single Japanese particles like に (ni), で (de), and へ (e), you’ll start noticing them paired up with another particle: は (wa). These combinations of Japanese particles are called combination particles or compound particles (複合助詞 – fukugō joshi). They aren’t new, scary grammar points; they are powerful tools that add layers of nuance, contrast, and focus to your sentences.

The magic formula is simple: these combinations merge the original particle’s function with the topic-marking and contrasting power of は (wa). Understanding them is key to sounding more like a native speaker. Let’s break down the most common and useful combinations.

The Combo Particle には (ni wa): Location or Time as a Topic

The particle には (ni wa) combines に (ni), which marks a specific point in time or a location of existence, with は (wa). This combination sets that time or place as the main topic of the sentence or uses it to create a contrast.

Core Idea: “As for this location/time…” or to contrast one place/time with another.

Example 1: Setting a Location as the Topic
この町には、有名な寺があります。
このまちには、ゆうめいなてらがあります。
Kono machi ni wa, yūmei na tera ga arimasu.
(In this town, there is a famous temple.)

この　 = this
町　　 (まち) = town
には　 = in (as for this location)
有名　 (ゆうめい) = famous
な　　 = (adjective particle)
寺　　 (てら) = temple
が　　 = (subject particle)
あります (あります) = there is (for inanimate objects)

Example 2: Contrasting Locations
大阪には行ったけど、京都には行かなかった。
おおさかにはいったけど、きょうとにはいかなかった。
Ōsaka ni wa itta kedo, Kyōto ni wa ikanakatta.
(I went to Osaka, but I didn’t go to Kyoto.)

大阪　 (おおさか) = Osaka
には　 = to (contrasting destination)
行った (いった) = went (past tense)
けど　 = but, although
京都　 (きょうと) = Kyoto
行かなかった (いかなかった) = did not go

The Japanese Combination Particle では (de wa): Context for Action

This combination uses で (de), which marks the location of an action or the means by which something is done, and adds は (wa) for focus. It’s often used to create contrast or to make a negative statement about a place or method.

Core Idea: “In this place (where an action occurs)…” or “By this method…”

Example 1: Contrasting Action Locations
このレストランでは、寿司が食べられません。
このれすとらんでは、すしがたべられません。
Kono resutoran de wa, sushi ga taberaremasen.
(At this restaurant, you can’t eat sushi.)

レストラン (れすとらん) = restaurant
では　 (では) = at (as for this location)
寿司　 (すし) = sushi
が　　 (が) = (subject particle for potential form)
食べられません (たべられません) = cannot eat

Example 2: Focusing on the Means
バスでは間に合わないよ。
ばすではまにあわないよ。
Basu de wa ma ni awanai yo.
(By bus, you won’t make it in time.)

バス　 (ばす) = bus
では　 = by (as for this method)
間に合わない (まにあわない) = to not be in time
よ　　 = (emphasis particle)

Interesting Fact: The Birth of じゃ (ja)

Here’s a crucial piece of cultural and linguistic knowledge: in casual conversation, では (de wa) is almost always contracted to じゃ (ja). You hear this constantly. This is why “well then” is often taught as both では、また (de wa, mata) and the more common じゃ、また (ja, mata).

The Japanese Combination Particle へは (e wa): Direction in Focus

This is a more subtle combination. It pairs へ (e), the particle for direction of movement, with は (wa). It puts emphasis on the destination, often to contrast it with other potential destinations. In modern Japanese, へは (e wa) is less common than には (ni wa), which is often used even when talking about movement.

Core Idea: “As for going *to* this place…”

Example: Contrasting Directions
会社へは行きますが、パーティーへは行きません。
かいしゃへはいきますが、ぱーてぃーへはいきません。
Kaisha e wa ikimasu ga, pātī e wa ikimasen.
(I will go to the office, but I will not go to the party.)

会社　       (かいしゃ)    = company, office
へは　                         = to (as for this direction)
行きます     (いきます)   = to go (polite)
が　　                          = but (conjunction)
パーティー  (ぱーてぃー)  = party
行きません  (いきません) = do not go (polite)

Beyond は: The “Also” Combos with も (mo)

The particle は (wa) isn’t the only one that can be combined! The particle も (mo), meaning “also” or “too,” can be added in the same way to create new nuances.

に + も = にも (ni mo) meaning “also in/at/to”
昨日、京都にも行きました。
きのう、きょうとにもいきました。
Kinō, Kyōto ni mo ikimashita.
(Yesterday, I also went to Kyoto.)

で + も = でも (de mo) meaning “also at” or “even by”
レストランでも水は飲めます。
れすとらんでもみずはのめます。
Resutoran de mo mizu wa nomemasu.
(You can also drink water at the restaurant. / Even at a restaurant, you can drink water.)

Quick Summary Table

Cultural Nuance: The Art of Indirectness

These combination particles are essential tools in Japanese, a language that often favors indirectness. By saying 「このレストランでは…」 (“As for this restaurant…”), you can gently introduce a negative point (like “you can’t eat sushi”) without sounding blunt or confrontational. You are softening the statement by first establishing the context. It’s a subtle but powerful way to maintain harmony (和 – wa), a key concept in Japanese culture. Mastering these particles isn’t just about grammar; it’s about learning to navigate conversations with social grace.

Read More:

• Particle guide: How to use particles in Japanese