Particles are short words that come after a noun (or phrase) and show its role: topic, subject, object, place, direction, etc. In the Sentence Builder game, words often include the particle (e.g. 本を, 学校に). Knowing what each particle does helps you put the sentence in the right order.
Main particles
| Particle | Role / meaning |
|---|---|
| は (wa) | Topic. What the sentence is about; not necessarily the grammatical subject. 私は = "as for me / I". Beginners often mix up は (topic) and が (subject). ⚠ Written "ha" but pronounced wa when used as a particle. |
| が | Subject. The one that performs the action or exists. 雨が降る = "rain falls". |
| を (o) | Object. What receives the action. 本を読む, 水を飲む. The particle を indicates the word is the object. ⚠ Written "wo" but pronounced o when used as a particle. |
| に | Direction, location, or time. に marks both time (三時に) and direction/location (学校に). 学校に行く, 三時に. |
| で | Place of action or means. Where the action happens, or how (by what means); not just "at/in/by". 図書館で読む (at the library), 電車で行く (by train). |
| へ | Direction. "Toward" (read え). 日本へ行く. Similar to に but slightly less precise; mostly direction toward a place. |
| と | With / and. "With" (someone). 友達と映画を見る = "watch a movie with a friend". |
Examples
私は 明日、 友達と 映画を 見ます。
Topic → (time · companion) → object → verb. は = topic (I) · と = with (friend) · を = object (movie) · verb = see.
"I will watch a movie with my friend tomorrow."
彼は 図書館で 本を 読みます。
Topic → place → object → verb. は = topic · で = place of action (library) · を = object (book) · verb = read.
In Sentence Builder, the particle indicates the word’s role. In 本を, を marks "book" as the object, so it goes before the verb. In 学校に, に marks direction "to school", so it usually comes before a verb like 行きます.
Practice grammar & particles
Particles appear in grammar points and example sentences. On Nihondex: Learn = study new grammar (or vocab); Review = practice items that are due (spaced repetition). Learn first, then reviews bring them back over time.
You know は, が, を, に, で, へ, と. That's the core for building sentences.
Almost there! Continue to Practice tips below for a quick recap and game tips. Then you're ready to try the Sentence Builder. 頑張って！