| Sentence Ending Particles (2) | |
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In Japanese, there are many particles that are added to the ends of sentences. They express the speaker's emotions, doubt, emphasis, caution, hesitation, wonder, admiration, and so on. Some sentence ending particles distinguish male or female speech. Many of them don't translate easily. Click here for "Sentence Ending Particles (1)".
No
(1) Indicates an explanation
or emotive emphasis. Used only by women or children in an informal situation.
| Kore
jibunde tsukutta no. これ自分で作ったの｡ |
I made this myself. |
| Onaka
ga itai no. おなかが痛いの｡ |
I have stomachache. |
(2) Makes a sentence into a
question (with a rising intonation). Informal version of "~ no desu
ka （～のですか）".
| Ashita
konai no? 明日来ないの？ |
Aren't you coming tomorrow? |
| Doushita
no? どうしたの？ |
What's the matter with you? |
Sa
Emphasizes the sentence.
Used mainly by men.
| Sonna
koto wa wakatteiru sa. そんなことは分かっているさ｡ |
I certainly know of such a thing. |
| Hajime
kara umaku dekinai no wa atarimae sa. 始めからうまくできないのは当たり前さ｡ |
It's
natural (indeed) that you can't do well when you first starts. |
Wa
Used only by women. It can
have both an emphatic function and a softening effect.
| Watashi
ga suru wa. わたしがするわ。 |
I'll do it. |
| Sensei
ni kiita hou ga ii to omou wa. 先生に聞いたほうがいいと思うわ｡ |
I
think it would be better to ask the teacher. |
Yo
(1) Emphasizes a command.
| Benkyou
shinasai yo! 勉強しなさいよ！ |
Study! |
| Okoranaide
yo! 怒らないでよ！ |
Don't get so angry at me! |
(2) Indicates moderate
emphasis, especially useful when the speaker provides a new piece of
information.
| Ano
eiga wa sugoku yokatta yo. あの映画はすごく良かったよ｡ |
That movie was very good. |
| Kare
wa tabako o suwanai yo. 彼は煙草を吸わないよ｡ |
He doesn't smoke, you know. |
Ze
Elicits an agreement. Used
only by men in casual conversation among colleagues, or with those whose social
status is below that of the speaker.
| Nomi
ni ikou ze. 飲みに行こうぜ｡ |
Let's go for a drink! |
Zo
Emphasizes one's opinion or
judgment. Used mainly by men.
| Iku
zo. 行くぞ｡ |
I'm going! |
| Kore
wa omoi zo. これは重いぞ｡ |
This is heavy, I tell you. |
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