Here are simple example sentences for each particle. Click the speaker to listen!
に (ni) — Time, Destination, Existence
がっこうにいきます。
gakkou ni ikimasu
I go to school.
がっこうに means "to school," using the particle に to show the destination. いきます is the polite form of "to go." So the sentence means "I go to school."
６じにおきます。
roku-ji ni okimasu
I wake up at 6 o'clock.
6じに means "at six o'clock," using the particle に to indicate a specific time. おきます is the polite way of saying "wake up." So the sentence says "At 6 o'clock I wake up."
こうえんにいぬが います。
kouen ni inu ga imasu
There is a dog in the park.
こうえんに means "in the park," using に to show the location. いぬが います means "there is a dog." The sentence says "There is a dog in the park."
ともだちにあいます。
tomodachi ni aimasu
I meet a friend.
ともだちに means "with/to a friend," using に to indicate the person you meet. あいます is the polite form of "to meet." So the sentence means "I meet a friend."
いえにかえります。
ie ni kaerimasu
I return home.
いえに means "to home," using に to show the destination. かえります is the polite form of "to return." The sentence says "I return home."
で (de) — Place of Action or Means
きょうしつでべんきょうします。
kyoushitsu de benkyou shimasu
I study in the classroom.
きょうしつで means "in the classroom," using で to show where the action happens. べんきょうします is the polite form of "to study." The sentence means "I study in the classroom."
こうえんであそびます。
kouen de asobimasu
I play at the park.
こうえんで means "at the park," using で to show the place of the action. あそびます is the polite form of "to play." The sentence means "I play at the park."
バスでいきます。
basu de ikimasu
I go by bus.
バスで means "by bus," using で to show the means or method. いきます is the polite form of "to go." The sentence means "I go by bus."
うちでごはんをたべます。
uchi de gohan o tabemasu
I eat a meal at home.
うちで means "at home," using で to show where the action happens. ごはんを たべます means "eat a meal." The sentence means "I eat a meal at home."
えきででんしゃをまちます。
eki de densha o machimasu
I wait for the train at the station.
えきで means "at the station," using で to show the place of the action. でんしゃを まちます means "wait for the train." The sentence means "I wait for the train at the station."
を (o) — Direct Object Marker
パンをたべます。
pan o tabemasu
I eat bread.
パンを means "bread" as the direct object, using を to show what is being eaten. たべます is the polite form of "to eat." The sentence means "I eat bread."
えいがをみます。
eiga o mimasu
I watch a movie.
えいがを means "movie" as the direct object, using を to show what is being watched. みます is the polite form of "to watch." The sentence means "I watch a movie."
てがみをかきます。
tegami o kakimasu
I write a letter.
てがみを means "letter" as the direct object, using を to show what is being written. かきます is the polite form of "to write." The sentence means "I write a letter."
みずをのみます。
mizu o nomimasu
I drink water.
みずを means "water" as the direct object, using を to show what is being drunk. のみます is the polite form of "to drink." The sentence means "I drink water."
おんがくをききます。
ongaku o kikimasu
I listen to music.
おんがくを means "music" as the direct object, using を to show what is being listened to. ききます is the polite form of "to listen." The sentence means "I listen to music."