へDirection marker
へ marks DIRECTION (toward). It’s mostly used with movement verbs like いきます, きます, かえります. Compared to に, へ focuses more on the direction rather than the arrival point. In many beginner sentences, に and へ are both acceptable for destination, but へ feels more like “heading toward…”. Pronunciation: written へ but pronounced e as a particle.
Key points
Quick reminders for how to use it.
- Use へ with movement verbs to show direction.
- へ vs に: へ = direction; に = destination/arrival. Often both work.
- Pronounced e (not he).
Patterns
Common structures you’ll see.
〜へ いきます。
~ e ikimasu.
Go toward/to ~.
〜へ かえります。
~ e kaerimasu.
Return toward/to ~.
こちらへ どうぞ。
kochira e douzo.
This way, please.
Common mistakes
Watch out for these.
- ×Pronouncing へ as 'he' (it’s 'e' as a particle).
- ×Thinking へ always means arrival; it mainly shows direction.
Examples
Real sentences with notes.
がっこうへ いきます。
gakkou e ikimasu.
I go to school.
👉 Movement direction toward school → へ.
うちへ かえります。
uchi e kaerimasu.
I go home.
👉 Direction of returning → へ.
えきへ あるきます。
eki e arukimasu.
I walk to the station.
👉 Heading toward the station → へ.
とうきょうへ いきたいです。
toukyou e ikitai desu.
I want to go to Tokyo.
👉 Desire to head toward a destination → へ.
こちらへ どうぞ。
kochira e douzo.
This way, please.
👉 Common phrase using へ for direction.
みぎへ まがります。
migi e magarimasu.
Turn to the right.
👉 Direction of turning → へ.
Compare with
Related particles to review next.