Language/Japanese/Grammar/Prepositions-and-Postpositions

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Japanese Grammar → Prepositions and Interjections → Prepositions and Postpositions

Japanese has a complex system of particles, including prepositions and postpositions, which are used to indicate the relationship between words in a sentence. In this lesson, we will focus on prepositions and postpositions, and how they differ from their counterparts in European languages.

Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Plurals & Feminine 女性.

Prepositions vs. Postpositions

Unlike in English, where prepositions always come before the noun they modify, Japanese prepositions (also known as particles) come after the noun. Postpositions, on the other hand, come before the noun they modify. This means that the grammatical function of a word in Japanese can change depending on the particle that follows it.

For example, the word "in" can be expressed in Japanese using two different particles: に (ni) and で (de). When "in" refers to a place, に is used: 部屋に (heya ni) "in the room". When "in" refers to an action or situation, で is used: 仕事で (shigoto de) "in/at work".

Common Prepositions and Postpositions

Here are some of the most common prepositions and postpositions in Japanese:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
に	ni	at, to, in (for location)
で	de	at, in, on (for location, action or means)
から	kara	from
へ	e	to
まで	made	until, as far as
の	no	of, 's (possessive)
を	o	(direct object marker)
より	yori	than
と	to	with, and
からの	kara no	from (as a modifier)

You will encounter these prepositions and postpositions in many everyday situations, whether you are travelling, shopping, or having a conversation with someone.

Tips for Using Prepositions and Postpositions

Here are some tips to keep in mind when using prepositions and postpositions in Japanese:

Unlike in English, prepositions and postpositions in Japanese can be combined with other particles, modifying the meaning of the sentence even further. For example, the particle combination からの (kara no) means "from (as a modifier)" as in 日本からの季節食材 (Nihon kara no kisetsu shokuzai) "seasonal ingredients from Japan".
Many prepositions and postpositions in Japanese have several meanings depending on the context. For example, the particle で (de) can mean "at, in, on" depending on the situation. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the context in which a particle is used to understand its meaning.
Some prepositions and postpositions have similar meanings but are used in different situations. For example, while both から (kara) and ので (node) can be used to indicate the reason or cause of something, their usage varies depending on the formality of the situation. から (kara) is more formal, while ので (node) is more casual.
Some prepositions and postpositions in Japanese have no direct equivalent in English, so it's important to learn their individual meanings and usage. For example, the particle と (to) is often used to indicate the person or thing with whom/which you are doing something.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have learned about prepositions and postpositions in Japanese, including their usage and differences from European languages. Remember that practice is the key to improving your understanding and mastery of these particles. By paying close attention to the context in which they are used, you will be able to use prepositions and postpositions more fluently and naturally in your Japanese conversations and writing.

Sources

Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics: Give your Opinion & Negation.

Table of Contents - Japanese Course - 0 to A1

Course Presentation

Hiragana Basics

Greetings and Introductions

Geography and History

Adjectives and Adverbs

Family and Social Relations

Religion and Philosophy

Particles and Conjunctions

Travel and Tourism

Education and Science

Prepositions and Interjections

Arts and Media

Politics and Society

Other Lessons

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