Grammar Info
N5 Lesson 5: 11/12

To, Toward

Structure
Noun +
Details
Part of Speech Particle
Word Type Case Marking Particle
Register Standard
品詞 助詞
単語の種類 格助詞
使用域 一般
Information
is a particle used when describing a place that someone or something is ‘moving toward’, or ‘in contact with’. In many cases, the particles and are interchangeable, but there is a slight difference in meaning. focuses more on the distance/effort required to get between (A) and (B), while focuses more on the connection between (A) and (B). always comes after the noun signifying the destination.
  • 私(わたし)フランスへ行(い)く
    I will go to France.
  • 明日(あした)東京(とうきょう)行(い)
    I will go to Tokyo tomorrow.
In these examples, while they may seem the same at first glance, shows that there is a space between (A) and (B), while puts the emphasis solely on the destination. This is why common expressions such as ‘city/country name ようこそ’ sound very polite. It is like saying ‘Welcome, and we acknowledge your journey/effort to get here’.
  • 大阪(おおさか)ようこそ!
    Welcome to Osaka!
  • BPRニュースようこそ。
    Welcome to BPR News.
In the TV-show example, this commonly means ‘thank you for your effort to watch this particular show, out of all the ones you could have chosen’.
Slow Male
Hide All
Hide Japanese
Hide English
大阪(おおさか)ようこそ。
Welcome to Osaka.
[~へようこそ is a set phrase meaning "Welcome to ~"] 
Play  
ここ
To here?
Play  
私(わたし)電車(でんしゃ)大阪(おおさか)行(い)く
I go to Osaka by train.
Play  
Books
Genki I
Page 61
Genki I 2nd Edition
Page 91
みんなの日本語 I
Page 38 [CH 5]
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 116
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 57