Japanese particles

[Kyousuke]

Ive been having problems with japanese particles. its hard for me to understand them. i was wondering if i could get some explanations for them?

[Paul11]

That's a very broad question. Some particles have a plethora, a veritable, cornecopian of meaning and uses. You should be more specific. I highly suggest you buy a "grammer dictionary" if you are even slightly serious about studying Japanese.

[nijiro]

Yes, that's pretty broad.　However I can give you a quick run-through of the common ones, if you have any more specific issues just ask. This is not an exhaustive list nor will I go into too much depth about usage but I hope it helps you to understand each of them. I'll use very simple examples in Romaji.

Generally particles come after the word they "mark".

は/wa: marks the subject; emphasizes the subject; translates to "as for (subject)"; is spelled as "ha"
Example: watashi wa hito desu.
I (as for me, I) am a person.

が/ga: marks the second subject, or in some instances (by English translation, although in Japanese it is still the subject) a direct object, like with "suki" or "to like".
Example: watashi wa hito ga suki desu.
I like people. (Literally: As for me, people are liked.)

を/o: marks the direct object of a verb; is spelled as "wo"
Example: watashi wa hon o yomimasu.
I read a book.

と/to: means "and" and goes between two words (not after both); can also be used as "with"
Example: watashi wa mizu to koohii o nomimasu.
I drink water and coffee.

に/ni: adverbial; marks an indirect object; translates as "in, at, to, toward, with" etc.
Example: kare wa tokyo ni imasu.
He is in tokyo.

で/de: adverbial; marks an indirect object; translates as "from, with, by way of, in the manner of, out of" etc.
Example: watashi wa nihongo de hanashimasu.
I speak in (in the manner of) Japanese.

へ/e: adverbial; marks an indirect object; translates as "to, toward"; is spelled as "he"
Example: kanojo wa rondon e ikimasu.
She goes to London.

か/ka: appears at the end of a question; "verbal question mark"; can also mean "or" when two questions are asked serially.
Example: anata wa inu ga suki desu ka, neko ga suki desu ka.
Do you like dogs, or do you like cats?

も/mo: marks a subject, direct object, or indirect object; in its most common use means "also" or "too"; when after two or more things it means "both".
Example: watashi wa inu mo neko mo suki desu.
I like both cats and dogs.

I hope this helps, rather than further confusing you. The rules for usage are a bit more complicated, but again, buy a book and it will explain all that to you.
Let me know if you have more questions.
If anyone has any corrections or clarifications to make please let me know.

[Paul11]

Nijiro did a good job. And there's still so much more. Get a grammer dictionary.

[nijiro]

Originally Posted by Paul11

Nijiro did a good job.

本当にありがとうございます！

[laurengl88]

particles are evil. I like private tutors.

[Wasabista]

On ni and [b]de[b/]: You use "ni" to mean general location in/at/on for verbs of stasis, but use "de," which also means "with/using," for verbs of action (both transitive and intransitive). Thus:

Watashi wa Saitama ni sunde imasu.
I live in Saitama.

Watashi wa nihongo de hanashite imasu.
I'm speaking Japanese.

Watashi wa do:ro de aruite imasu.
I'm walking on the street.

It's actually a fascinating topic, especially the topic particle wa. Do look for a good grammar book.

[enyafriend]

Seriously, just like what Paul11 said, you ought to get yourself a good book if you are really serious about learning Japanese.
Forum Q & A can only get you so far.