Part 1 · How a sentence works · Lesson 6
を, に, で, へ, と, から, まで: who does what to what
The particles that tag the objects, places, times and companions of an action. A clear map of what each one means, how に and で differ, and the small traps that catch almost everyone.
In lesson one we saw that particles tag each piece. This lesson maps the ones that tag the pieces around a verb. Treat it as a reference: you do not need to master it now. Read it, then return when something in your reading confuses you.
を: the thing acted on
を (pronounced o) marks the direct object of an action, the thing the verb does something to.
It is also used for paths and places you move through:
And with a handful of verbs, it marks the place you leave:
に: a point in space, time or direction
に marks the spot where something lands. It is the particle of arrival, targets and fixed points.
Destination:
A point in time:
The target or recipient:
Where something exists:
Purpose of going:
A good way to feel に: it is the "to / at / in / on" of where it lands.
で: where it happens, and what it uses
で marks the setting of an action, the place it takes place and the tool or method it uses.
Where the action happens:
What you use:
Reason or cause:
に or で for places?
This catches everyone. Compare:
| Verb type | Place particle |
|---|---|
| Exists, stays (いる, ある, 住む) | に |
| Does something there (食べる, 遊ぶ, 働く) | で |
| Goes to or arrives (行く, 着く) | に (or へ) |
へ: toward
へ (pronounced e) is similar to に for destinations but stresses the direction, not the arrival.
For ordinary destinations, に and へ are interchangeable. You will see both.
と: together, and "and"
と has two main jobs, and both involve a partner.
With someone:
And (between nouns):
It also marks quotes: (covered in a later lesson)
から and まで: from and until
から also means "because" when it follows a clause (lesson on reasons). まで means "up to / as far as / until".
や and とか: "and things like"
と lists everything: "A and B". や and とか list examples: "A and B and so on."
より: than
より marks the thing you compare against.
Putting several together
A real sentence often stacks several of these in front of the verb:
Count the tags: と for who with, で for where, を for what. The verb at the end closes it. If you can see each tag as a job, you can read sentences of any length.
Longer sentences
Real sentences stack several of these particles. Practise tagging each piece first, then read the whole.
A formal sentence where the compound particles from later lessons already appear:
A travel diary
Key points
- を marks the thing acted on; also paths you pass through.
- に marks a landing point: destination, time, recipient, where something exists.
- で marks the setting and tool of an action, and the cause.
- に vs で: existence or arrival is に; doing something somewhere is で.
- へ is "toward"; と is "with" and "and"; から/まで are "from/until".
- や/とか give examples; より compares.
Drill these patterns
Short example sentences for the points in this lesson: