Translation guide
In Japanese, 'particle' refers to grammatical particles (助詞) that mark grammatical relations, as well as physical particles (粒子) in science contexts. This guide focuses on the grammatical sense, which is essential for learners.
The learner wants to refer to the grammatical concept of particles in Japanese, such as は, が, を, etc.
The standard linguistic term for grammatical particles. Use this when discussing Japanese grammar.
Japanese particles are difficult.
「は」と「が」は助詞です。
'Wa' and 'ga' are particles.
A traditional term referring to particles and auxiliary verbs, often used when discussing proper particle usage or writing style. It literally lists the hiragana characters て, に, を, は.
てにをはに気をつけて文章を書いてください。
Please write sentences paying attention to particles (and auxiliary verbs).
Specifically case particles (e.g., が, を, に, へ, と, から, より, で). Used in detailed grammatical analysis.
「を」は対格の格助詞です。
'Wo' is an accusative case particle.
The learner wants to refer to a tiny piece of matter, such as dust, a subatomic particle, or a particle in physics.
General term for a physical particle, used in science and everyday contexts (e.g., dust particles, elementary particles).
空気中に小さな粒子が浮いている。
Tiny particles are floating in the air.
素粒子物理学は粒子の性質を研究する。
Particle physics studies the properties of particles.
Emphasizes very small particles, often used in technical or scientific contexts (e.g., fine particles, particulates).
Refers to a grain or small roundish particle, like a grain of rice or sand. Not used for subatomic particles.
砂の粒が靴に入った。
A grain of sand got into my shoe.
助詞 (joshi) is for grammatical particles; 粒子 (ryūshi) is for physical particles. Using the wrong one can cause confusion.
「は」は助詞です。
'Wa' is a particle (grammatical).
ウイルスは小さな粒子です。
Viruses are tiny particles (physical).
This filter removes fine particles.