Particle (助詞 - joshi)

 

1. Today's Japanese words

* **Particle (助詞 - joshi):** A small word added after nouns, verbs, adjectives or phrases to show their grammatical function in a sentence.  

Here are some common particles and their uses:

* **Wa (は - wa):** Topic marker. Indicates the topic of the sentence. 

    * Example: Hanako-wa sensei desu. (花子は先生です。 - Hanako is a teacher.)

* **Ga (が - ga):** Subject marker. Indicates the subject of the sentence.

    * Example: Watashi-ga nihongo o benkyo shite imasu. (私は日本語を勉強しています。 - I am studying Japanese.)

* **O/Wo (を - o/wo):** Object marker. Indicates the object receiving the action of the verb.

    * Example: Gohan o tabemasu. (ご飯を食べます。 - I eat rice.)

* **No (の - no):** Possession marker. Shows ownership or relation.

    * Example: Watashi no hon. (私の本。 - My book.)

* **Mo (も - mo):** Also particle. Indicates inclusion, similar to "too" or "also" in English.

    * Example: Kare mo imasu. (彼もいます。 - He is also here.) 

* **Ni (に - ni):** Direction/Location marker. Indicates direction or location.

    * Example: Nihon ni ikimasu. (日本に行きます。 - I am going to Japan.)

    * Example: Gakkou de nihongo o benkyo shimasu. (学校で日本語を勉強します。 - I study Japanese at school.)

* **De (で - de):** Location marker. Indicates the location of an action.

    * Example: Eiga theater de miru. (映画館で観る。 - I watch it at a movie theater.)

* **Kara (から - kara):** Reason/Cause marker. Indicates the reason or cause for something.

    * Example: Ame *ga* furu *kara*, gakkou ni ikemasen. (雨が降る *kara*, 学校に行けません。 - Because it is raining, I cannot go to school.)

* **Made (まで - made):** Extent/Limit marker. Indicates the extent or limit of something.

    * Example: Juu-ji (jyuu-ji) *made* matte imasu. (十時 *まで* 待っています。 - I will wait until 10 o'clock.)

* **To (と - to):** Conjunction. Connects nouns, phrases, or clauses. 

    * Example: Nihongo *to* Eigo o hanashimasu. (日本語 *と* 英語を話します。 - I speak Japanese and English.

* **Ka (か - ka):** Question marker. Forms interrogative sentences.

    * Example: Nani *o* tabemasu ka? (何 *を* 食べますか？ - What do you eat?)

* **Ne (ね - ne):** Confirmation/Agreement checker. Seeks agreement or confirmation from the listener.

    * Example: Samui desu ne. (寒いですね。 - It's cold, isn't it?)

2. Today's topic

**joshi (助詞)**

Japanese particles, also known as **joshi (助詞)** or **tenioha (てにをは)**, are small words that follow nouns, verbs, adjectives, or phrases to indicate grammatical relationships and functions. 

They are essential for constructing grammatically correct Japanese sentences and conveying subtle nuances in meaning.

Unlike English, which relies heavily on word order to determine the meaning of a sentence, Japanese uses particles to mark the subject, object, topic, and other grammatical elements. This allows for greater flexibility in sentence structure and can make it challenging for learners to master.

**Common Japanese Particles**

Here are some of the most common and essential Japanese particles:

* **Wa (は):** Topic marker, indicating the element that is being focused on or emphasized.

* **Ga (が):** Subject marker, highlighting the subject of a sentence.

* **O/Wo (を):** Direct object marker, indicating the recipientああ of an action.

* **No (の):** Possessive marker, showing ownership or belonging.

* **Mo (も):** Inclusive particle, including oneself or something else in a group.

* **Ni (に):** Direction marker, indicating movement towards a place, time, or person.

* **De (で):** Location marker, indicating a place or time of an action.

* **Kara (から):** Cause or reason marker, indicating the reason or cause for something.

* **Made (まで):** Extent or limit marker, indicating the extent or limit of something.

* **To (と):** Conjunction, connecting nouns, phrases, or clauses.

* **Ka (か):** Question marker, forming interrogative sentences.

* **Ne (ね):** Agreement marker, seeking agreement or confirmation from the listener.

* **Yo (よ):** Emphasis marker, adding emphasis or highlighting a point.

3- Today’s news

Men still call the shots on if holy sites can ban women

https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15221358

Gifu cormorant fishing viewing boats back to normal May 11

https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15246965