Most Common Sentence Ending Particles in Japanese Sentences (2)

In Japanese, there are many particles that are added to the end of a sentence. 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)".

Common Ending Particles

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

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Sentence Ending Particles in Japanese

By Namiko Abe

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.