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

About へ

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.

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'.

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'.

Examples

  • 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 ~'.

  • ここ

    To here?

  • (わたし)電車(でんしゃ)大阪(おおさか)()

    I go to Osaka by train.

  • 神戸(こうべ)()

    To go to Kobe.

  • (いえ)(かえ)

    To return to one's house.

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  • Offline

    • 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

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へ – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • hachiwara

    hachiwara

    Hey! I just noticed a small typo in “Thank you”

  • Pixel_Vapour

    Pixel_Vapour

    I’m very confused by this

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