Particles

Nouns are generally followed by particles in Japanese.  These particles indicate the nouns relationship to the verb.

で　　The particle で indicates where the even described by the verb takes place.

            うちでテレビをみます。            I will watch TV at .

       

に　　The particle に indicates two things:  1) the goal toward which things move, and 2) the time at which an event takes place.

            1)  わたしはうちにかえります。        I will return .
                　 

            2) 　じゅいちじにねます。　　　　I will go to bed at eleven.
     


へ　　The particle へ also indicates the goal of a movement.  It is pronounced "e."

             わたしはうちへかえります。            I will return .
            　

を　The particle を indicates direct objects.  It is pronounced "o."
           
            コーヒーをのみます。            I drink coffee.
                          

            テープをききます。                I listen to tapes.