Japanese grammar · Elementary (A2)
Sentence-ending particles: よ, ね and more
How よ, ね, よね, かな, の and a few casual particles at the end of a sentence change its tone: telling, agreeing, checking and wondering.
Small words, big difference
Japanese sentences often end with a small particle that shows how the speaker feels about what they're saying and about the listener. They don't change the facts, but leaving them out can make you sound cold, and using the wrong one can sound pushy.
They come after everything else, after (desu), (masu) or a plain form: (oishii desu ne), (iku yo).
| Particle | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (yo) | tells the listener something new | (mō sanji desu yo), it's already three o'clock |
| (ne) | shares a feeling, asks for agreement | (samui desu ne), it's cold, isn't it |
| (yo ne) | checks something you think is true | (ashita wa yasumi desu yo ne), tomorrow's a day off, right? |
| (ka na) | wonders, casual | (ame ga furu ka na), I wonder if it'll rain |
| (no) | asks for or gives an explanation, casual | (dō shita no?), what's wrong? |
よ: I'm telling you
(yo) marks information the speaker thinks the listener doesn't have yet: a fact, a recommendation, a warning. It's like “you know” or an exclamation mark in English. (kono mise, yasui yo), this shop is cheap, you know.
Used often, or with people above you, can sound as if you're lecturing. With a superior, (ne) or no particle is safer; with friends and family, is warm and natural.
- 駅はあそこですよ。Eki wa asoko desu yo.The station is over there.
- このケーキ、おいしいよ。Kono kēki, oishii yo.This cake is really good.
- 財布、落としましたよ。Saifu, otoshimashita yo.You've dropped your wallet.
ね and よね: we agree, right?
(ne) assumes the listener shares the feeling or knows the fact, and invites them to agree: (ii tenki desu ne), lovely weather, isn't it? It is also used to confirm details: (sanji desu ne), three o'clock, then. Japanese conversation uses constantly; it makes speech friendly.
(yo ne) combines the two: I believe this, and I'm checking that you agree. (Tanaka-san mo kimasu yo ne), Ms Tanaka is coming too, isn't she?
- この部屋、明るいね。Kono heya, akarui ne.This room is bright, isn't it?
- じゃあ、駅の改札で六時ですね。Jā, eki no kaisatsu de rokuji desu ne.So, six o'clock at the station ticket gates, then.
- 駅から近いほうがいいよね。Eki kara chikai hō ga ii yo ne.It's better to be close to the station, right?
かな and の: wondering and asking
(ka na), I wonder, is casual and often said half to yourself: (ma ni au ka na), I wonder if we'll make it. It also softens a question or a suggestion: (tetsudatte moraeru ka na), could you maybe help me? In polite speech, use (deshō ka) instead.
In casual questions, (no) with a rising tone asks for an explanation and sounds soft and interested: (doko iku no?), where are you going? Said falling, it explains: (chotto atama ga itai no), I've got a bit of a headache. It is the casual version of polite (n desu). Before , becomes : (yasumi na no?).
- 明日、晴れるかな。Ashita, hareru ka na.I wonder if it'll be sunny tomorrow.
- どうして来なかったの？Dōshite konakatta no?Why didn't you come?
- 用事があったの。Yōji ga atta no.I had something to do.
More casual particles (B2)
You will hear these between friends, in dramas and in manga. Recognise them first; use them only once you know the people well. (wa) and (zo) are strongly marked in standard Japanese: sounds feminine and a little old-fashioned in Tokyo (in Kansai, everyone uses it), and sounds rough and masculine.
| Particle | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (kke) | trying to remember | (kaigi, nanji da kke?), what time was the meeting again? |
| (jan) | isn't it, see? | (ii jan), that's great, isn't it |
| (na) | casual (ne), or said to yourself | (ii nā), lucky you |
| (wa) | soft emphasis | (watashi mo iku wa), I'll go too |
| (zo) | strong emphasis | (iku zo), let's go |