γ¨βandβ / βwithβ / quotation
γ¨ has three very common beginner uses: 1) Noun + γ¨ + noun: βA and Bβ (complete list) 2) With/together: γ¨γγ γ‘γ¨ γγγΎγ (go with a friend) 3) Quotation: γγγγ¨ γγγΎγ (say β~β) / γγ¨ γγγγΎγ (think that ~) At N5, focus mainly on (1) and (2).
Key points
Quick reminders for how to use it.
- Use γ¨ to connect nouns in a complete βA and Bβ list.
- Use γ¨ to mean βwith/togetherβ (partner in an action).
- Quotation γ¨ appears in patterns like γγγγ¨ γγγΎγ, but keep it simple at first.
Patterns
Common structures youβll see.
A㨠B
A to B
A and B
Note: Use for a complete list (not βand so onβ).
γγ¨ γγ£γγγ« γγγΎγγ
~ to issho ni ~ shimasu.
Do ~ together with ~.
γγ¨ γγγΎγγ
~ to ikimasu.
Go with ~.
γγγγ¨ γγγΎγγ
"~" to iimasu.
Say β~β. / (My name) is ~.
Common mistakes
Watch out for these.
- ΓUsing γ¨ when you mean βand othersβ; Japanese often uses γ for non-complete lists (learn later).
- ΓMixing γ¨ (with someone) and γ§ (by means). γ¨ is a partner; γ§ is a tool/means.
- ΓForgetting γ¨ before γγ£γγγ« (often written as γ¨ γγ£γγγ«).
Examples
Real sentences with notes.
γγ³γ¨ γΏγγ γγγΎγγ
pan to mizu o kaimasu.
I buy bread and water.
π γ¨ connects two nouns in a complete list.
γγγγ¨ γγγγ γγγ§γγ
ringo to banana ga suki desu.
I like apples and bananas.
π List of liked items connected by γ¨.
γ¨γγ γ‘γ¨ γγγγ γΏγΎγγ
tomodachi to eiga o mimasu.
I watch a movie with a friend.
π γ¨γγ γ‘ is your partner in the action β γ¨.
γγγγγγ¨ γγ£γγγ« γγγγΎγγ
okaasan to issho ni kaerimasu.
I go home together with my mother.
π γγ£γγγ« emphasizes doing it together.
γγγγγ¨ γ―γͺγγΎγγ
sensei to hanashimasu.
I talk with the teacher.
π Conversation partner β γ¨.
γγγγ― γγγͺγγ¨ γγγΎγγ
watashi wa "rina" to iimasu.
My name is Rina.
π Quotation γ¨ marks the name you say.
γγ―γγγ¨ γγγΎγγγ
"hai" to iimashita.
I said βyes.β
π γ¨ marks quoted words.
Compare with
Related particles to review next.