For students studying Japanese, learning to use correctly can be one of the biggest hurdles. Particles are everywhere, and they can have a wide range of meanings and uses.
There are a number of particle contrasts that Japanese learners tend to struggle with, but in this post we’ll focus on just five of them. These contrasts are:
を[o] vs. で[de] for locations of movement
e.g. “I walked around / in the park.”
を[o] vs. から[kara] for points of departure
から[kara] vs. より[yori] with a starting point or point of origin
e.g. “The meeting starts at 10.”
に[ni] vs. へ[e] vs. まで[made] for destinations
e.g. “I went to the bank.”
に[ni] vs. と[to] for interactions with people
e.g. “I talked to my teacher.”
In the sections below we’ll go through each pair of particles in context and direct you towards some resources where you can learn more about each particle individually. Ready to have a look? Let’s dive in!
Quick review: What are particles in Japanese?
In Japanese, a particle is a small helping word that “marks” another word or phrase and helps you understand the role that other phrase plays in a sentence or conversation. The ones we’ll look at in this post are used sort of like English (e.g. in, at, on), but particles can have other functions too.
For a broader introduction to particles in Japanese, check out our introduction to Japanese particles. In this post, we’re looking at some cases where changing the particle you use can slightly alter the meaning of a sentence.
を [o] vs. で [de]: Locations of movement
The particle を[o] and the particle で[de] each have a number of functions, but the contrast most students learning Japanese struggle with is choosing which one you should use each particle to mark a location where movement takes place. Both can be used when the motion takes place entirely within the location the particle marks.
I walk all through the park.
lit. I walk the park.
So what’s the distinction?
Use を[o] if you are completing a goal by moving at or through a particular location.
→ Common translations: “through,” “around,” “throughout,” or no .
The particle を[o] classically marks the direct object of a verb, so using this with a location implies the motion affected (usually “finished”) the location somehow.
Use で[de] if the location is secondary. The goal was to move, and that just happened to take place at that location.
→ Common translations: “in,” “at,” “on”
You can remember about this difference using the examples below:
Use を [o]:→ He walked to the end of the plank and completed the task, falling into the ocean! 🏴☠
Use で (de):→ He was walking around, and it happened to be on a plank. No sailors were harmed!
Let’s go through some of the cases where you’ll want to use the particle を[o] alongside a verb of motion. Here are two cases where you’d want to use を[o] with a verb of movement in Japanese:
“How did you get there?”
Imagine your friend asks you “How did you get to the main street?” This is a question about completing a goal (getting to your destination), so the answer with を[o] is correct.
✅ Answer with を [o]:公園を歩いて、大通りに出たんだよ。
Kōen o aruite, ōdōri ni deta n da yo.
I walked (through) the park and came out to the main street.
❌ Answer with で [de]:公園で歩いて、大通りに出たんだよ。
Kōen de aruite, ōdōri ni deta n da yo
I walked in the park and came out to the main street.
Completing an achievement
You can use を[o] with a verb of motion to imply that traversing a location is an achievement.
彼は今大西洋を泳いでいる。
Kare wa ima Taiseiyō o oyoideiru.
He is swimming the Atlantic Ocean.
→ This implies that he is swimming all the way across the ocean — a HUGE achievement!
Using で[de] does not carry this implication. Compare:
彼は今大西洋で泳いでいる。
Kare wa ima Taiseiyō de oyoideiru.
He is swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.
→ A lovely day out, but nothing will really be achieved at the end of the day.
Whether or not using を[o] is appropriate depends a lot on context and on the combination of the verb and the location.
For example, when discussing “swimming” you’ll generally only mark the location with を[o] if someone is achieving something noteworthy. For example, the sentence above would be strange:
🆗 彼は今プールを泳いでいる。
Kare wa ima pūru o oyoideiru.
→ This makes it sound like swimming the length of the pool is a huge achievement. You’d need a lot of context (e.g. knowing the person swimming is a toddler) to make this sound natural.
On the other hand, as we saw, it’s common to use “walk” with を[o] just to imply that a location has been fully traversed: no need for a big achievement!
As you listen more to native speakers, you’ll get a handle on when to use and not use を[o] with particular verbs of motion. It just takes practice!
を [o] vs. から [kara]: Point of departure
One of the other uses of the particle を[o] is marking the point of departure. This one gets tricky, because the particle から[kara], which here means “from,” can also do this. But the two aren’t always interchangeable. It depends on the type of “departure” that is taking place, and sometimes the destination you’re leaving. Let’s have a look!
Intentional departure, in a moment
With a verb that represents a departure that happens in a moment, you can mark the point of departure either with を[o] or から[kara] — both are acceptable.
Some verbs like this might include:
Though both を[o] and から[kara] are acceptable and there’s no difference in literal meaning, there is a bit of a difference in implication and focus:
を[o] focuses on the fact the point of departure was left behind.
から[kara] focuses on the fact that the subject has moved on to somewhere else.
船は2日前に横浜港を出発した。 Fune wa hutsukamae ni Yokohamakō o shuppatsushita. The ship departed Port Yokohama two days ago. → Focus on the fact that the ship left Port Yokohama behind. | 船は2日前に横浜港から出発した。 Fune wa hutsukamae ni Yokohamakō kara shuppatsushita. The ship departed from Port Yokohama two days ago. → Implies the ship is going somewhere else specific. |
田中さんは席を離れている。 Tanaka-san wa seki o hanareteiru. Tanaka has left the seat. → Focus on the fact that Tanaka left the chair behind. | 田中さんは席から離れている。 Tanaka-san wa seki kara hanareteiru. Tanaka has left the seat. → Implies that Tanaka is now somewhere else specific. |
Abstract departure or “moving on”
を[o] and から[kara] can also both mark a noun that someone is abstractly leaving behind or moving on from. As with physical departure, から[kara] carries an implication that someone is also moving on to something else, while を[o] does not.
中学生になったのに、人形遊びを卒業できない。 Chūgakusē ni natta noni, ningyōasobi o sotsugyōdekinai. Even though (I) am a junior high school student, (I) can't graduate from playing with dolls. → Focus on the fact that you are still playing with dolls. | 中学生になったのに、人形遊びから卒業できない。 Chūgakusē ni natta noni, ningyōasobi kara sotsugyōdekinai. Even though (I) am a junior high school student, (I) can't graduate from playing with dolls. → Focus on the fact that you are not yet doing something else. |
うちの子は、ようやく思春期を抜けた。 Uchinoko wa, yōyaku shishunki o nuketa. My child has finally come out of adolescence. → Focus on the fact that your child has left adolescence behind. | うちの子は、ようやく思春期から抜けた。 Uchinoko wa, yōyaku shishunki kara nuketa. My child has finally come out of adolescence. → Focus on the fact that your child is now older. |
When someone is “leaving” an organization or official role, you must use を[o].
健太は去年大学を出た。
Kenta wa kyonen daigaku o deta.
Kenta graduated from college last year.
健太は劇の主役を下りることにした。
Kenta wa geki no shuyaku o oriru koto ni shita.
Kenta decided to step down from the leading role of the play.
Natural or unintentional “departure”
If the verb expresses a natural or unintentional movement, the point of departure must be marked by から[kara]. So if you’re talking about something “drifting away” or “leaking” or “blowing away,” from something, you’ll need to use から[kara].
煙が窓から出ている。
Kemuri ga mado kara deteiru.
The smoke is coming out from the window.
悲しくて目から涙が出る。
Kanashikute me kara namida ga deru.
(I am) sad and tears run down from (my) eyes.
を [o] vs. から [kara]: A quick summary
Let’s summarize the differences then!
Intentional physical departure | | |
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Intentional abstract departure | | ✅ Implies a “destination” |
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Leaving an organization / role | | |
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Natural movement | | |
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から [kara] vs. より [yori]: Point of origin
In addition to being used to mark the starting point of movement, から[kara] can also be used for other types of origins, like the start of a period of time, the beginning of a measurement, or the source of a product or message. In this use, we aren’t really describing something’s point of departure so much as its “point of origin.” For example:
会議は10時 から 始まります。
Kaigi wa ku-ji kara hajimaru.
The meeting will start at ten o’clock.
→ 10:00 is the starting point for the period of time (the meeting)
公園からスタートして、ゴールは駅前です。
Kōen kara sutāto shite, gōru wa ekimae desu.
Start from the park and the finish line is (located) at the front of the station.
→ Here, we are discussing the path of the race, which is a measured space or track.
イギリスから輸入した紅茶を販売しております。
Igirisu kara yunyūshita kōcha o hanbai shite orimasu.
We sell tea imported from England.
→ Though technically the tea did travel, in this context we’re really just focusing on describing the tea as having its origins in England.
These non-moving “points of origin” can also be marked using the particle より[yori]. For example, compare these sentences to the ones above:
午後10時より会議を始めます。
Gogo ku-ji yori kaigi o hajimemasu.
The meeting will start at ten o’clock.
公園よりスタートして、ゴールは駅前です。
Kōen yori sutāto shite, gōru wa ekimae desu.
Start from the park and the finish line is (located) at the front of the station.
イギリスより輸入した紅茶を販売しております。
Igirisu yori yunyūshita kōcha o hanbai shite orimasu.
We sell tea imported from England.
In this case, there is no difference in literal meaning between the two particles. The only real difference between から[kara] and より[yori] in this context is formality and politeness: より[yori] is more formal than から[kara]. It can even sound a little bit stiff.
これより先は、写真・ビデオの撮影をご遠慮ください。
Kore yori saki wa, shashin/bideo no satsuei o goenryo kudasai.
Please refrain from taking photos and videos beyond this point.
→ から[kara] would also be acceptable here, but because this sounds like a formal or polite rule, you’re most likely to hear より[yori].
より[yori] is sometimes used in the signature lines of little messages, notes, or memos, but in this use it’s considered very informal:
To Alex,
Happy Birthday! 🎂
From, Lisa
に [ni] vs. へ [e] vs. まで [made]: Destination of movement
In Japanese, three main particles are used to mark the destination or direction of movement: に[ni], へ[e], and まで[made]. In this section, we’ll talk about when you’ll want to use each one.
All three of these particles can be translated as “to” or sometimes “towards,” but there is a slight difference in their meaning.
へ[e] is more like “towards.” You use it to mark your final destination, but it’s implied that you haven’t arrived yet.
新幹線で京都へ行く。
Shinkansen de Kyōto e iku.
(I) go to (towards) Kyoto by bullet train.
→ Kyoto is the final destination of the train, but the speaker might get off before then, or might decide to come home.
Therefore, we don’t usually use へ[e] with a verb for an action that involves “arriving.”
Intended: to get on the train
→ “Getting on” implies that you arrived there, so saying this is a little like saying “to get on towards the train”
に[ni] is like either “to” or sometimes “towards.” You use it with a final destination that you have reached or expect to reach. However, you can use this with a final destination that you haven’t actually reached yet.
新幹線で京都に行く。
Shinkansen de Kyōto ni iku.
(I) go to Kyoto by bullet train.
→ The speaker may not be there yet, but is planning to reach Kyoto.
Unlike へ[e], we can use に[ni] with a verb for an action that involves “arriving.”
→ Though usually you get on a train because you’re going somewhere else, the final destination of the “getting on” action itself is still the train.
まで[made] is like “as far as” or “by way of.” It is used to mark a stop along the way to somewhere else.
新幹線で京都まで行く。
Shinkansen de Kyōto made iku.
(I) go to (as far as) Kyoto by bullet train.
→ The speaker intends to reach Kyoto, but Kyoto is not their final destination.
The images below can give you a quick visual of what the differences are.
destination + へ[e] | |
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destination + に[ni] | |
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destination + まで[made] |  We've reached one destination, but we will continue! |
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There are, therefore, lots of cases where all three particles are acceptable, and may even receive the same English translation, but the implications are slightly different in Japanese. Let’s look at some examples like this!
エレベーターで５階 ___ 上がる。
Elebētā de gokai ___ agaru.
(I) go up to the fifth floor by elevator.
→ I intend to reach the fifth floor, but my story is probably about what happens while I’m in the elevator.
→ The fifth floor is my final destination and I intend to reach it.
→ I’m traveling to several places in the building, and the fifth floor is one of those places.
自転車で駅 ___ 向かった。
Jitensha de eki ___ mukatta.
(I) went to the station by bicycle.
→ I went to the station, but I’m talking about what happened along the way.
→ The goal was to reach the station and I got there.
→ I’m going to several places today, and I reached the station by bike.
毎日学校 ___ 来る。
Mainichi gakkō ___ kuru.
(I) come to school every day.
→ While you can probably assume this means that I attend school every day, I’m really talking about and focused on my trip to school.
→ I attend school every day.
→ This sounds like I’m stopping in at the school, or it’s one of the places I go every day.
The particle に[ni] has an especially wide range of uses. If you want to learn more about this particle, check out our introduction to に[ni]!
に [ni] vs. と [to]: Interactions with people
In Japanese, you will often use the particle に[ni] or the particle と[to] to mark the person someone is interacting with. For example:
友達に会った
Tomodachi ni atta.
Can you guess, based on those translations, what the difference is between them, in this context?
に[ni]: The interaction is one-sided. The subject is taking the initiative in the interaction and is doing all the work.
来週先生に話す。
Raishū sensei ni hanasu.
I will talk to the teacher.
→ This interaction is one-sided. Only the student is talking.
と[to]→ The interaction is mutual. Both parties are taking part in the interaction. This is more like “talking with” someone.
来週先生と話す。
Raishū sensei to hanasu.
I will talk with the teacher.
→ This interaction is mutual. They are talking to each other.
You can’t always use に[ni] with interaction verbs, because some actions are always mutual. For example:
✅友達とケンカした。
Tomodachi to kenkashita.
→ You fought with each other.
❌友達にケンカした。
Tomodachi ni kenkashita.
→ For a fight to exist, both people have to be involved.
To sum up
In this article, we’ve gone through several of the trickiest particle contrasts in Japanese. Here’s what to remember:
location of movement + を[o] / で[de]
を[o] → traversing the location completes a goal
で[de] → simply specifies where it happened
point of departure + を[o] / から[kara]
を[o] → simply specifies the departure point
から[kara]→ implies moving on to somewhere specific
starting point + から[kara] / より[yori]
から[kara] → casual, informal
destination + に[ni] / へ[e] / まで[made]
に[ni] → marks final destination
へ[e]→ marks final destination, focuses on the travel
まで[made]→ marks a stop along the road
second participant + に[ni] / と[to]
に[ni] → interaction is one-sided (“talk to”)
と[to]→ interaction is mutual (“talk with”)
Ready to practice these distinctions? Check out our tricky particle pair activities to test your skills! Happy learning!
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