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6.5: Particles に (ni) and へ (e)

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    289595
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    This module helps you learn the nuances of the Japanese particles に (ni) and へ (e), both of which are instrumental in indicating direction or destination.

    The Japanese particles に (ni) and へ (e) both indicate the direction or destination towards which someone or something is moving. Note that although the particle へ is written as ‘へ’, it is pronounced ‘e’, not ‘he’.

    Although these particles can be used interchangeably, they convey a slight difference in nuance:

    is commonly used in both spoken and written language.

    へ, with a slightly more formal tone, is more frequently used in written contexts.

     

    With this foundation, let’s explore practical examples to master the use of these particles in constructing sentences.

    The particles に and へ indicating direction or destination are often accompanied with the following verbs:

    行(い)く (iku: to go)

    来(く)る (kuru: to come)

    帰(かえ)る (kaeru: to return, to go home)

     

    These verbs signify movement between locations and are therefore paired with either に or へ, indicating the destination to which someone or something goes, comes or returns.

    Here are some example sentences:

    • 学校(がっこう)に行きます。(Gakkou ni ikimasu) – I (will) go to school.
    • クラス(くらす)に来ます。(Kurasu ni kimasu) – I (will) come to the class.
    • 家(いえ)に帰ります。 (Ie ni kaerimasu) – I (will) return home.

    Exercise

    Query \(\PageIndex{1}\)

     

     


    This page titled 6.5: Particles に (ni) and へ (e) is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Iori Hamada (Council of Australian University Librarians Initiative) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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