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This simple chart strips Japanese down to just 7 essential particles — は, が, を, に, の, も, と — paired with the word watashi (“I/me”).
Each pairing has a “dirty definition” (a quick, gut‑level meaning) and easy swap‑in examples so you can instantly feel the role of each particle without heavy grammar.
By keeping only the core particles, beginners can talk about themselves, describe actions, give and receive things, show possession, include others, and connect ideas — all without drowning in the full complexity of Japanese grammar.
| Particle | Watashi + Particle | Dirty Definition (Quick Hook) | Fast & Dirty Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| は (wa) | watashi wa | me — I am | watashi wa happy / watashi wa busy / watashi wa the leader |
| が (ga) | watashi ga | I do/did | watashi ga won / watashi ga sang / watashi ga fixed it |
| を (o) | watashi o | me — the direct hit (object of action) | they saw watashi o / he pushed watashi o / she called watashi o |
| に (ni) | watashi ni | me — the catcher/getter (receiver of action) | give it to watashi ni / tell watashi ni / send watashi ni money |
| の (no) | watashi no | me — the owner | watashi no car / watashi no book / watashi no idea |
| も (mo) | watashi mo | me as well / me also | watashi mo like it / watashi mo can help / watashi mo went |
| と (to) | watashi to | me — together/and | go with watashi to / eat with watashi to / watashi to laughed |
Here are some question-and-answer pairs that help illustrate how these particles work with “watashi.”
は (wa)
Question: As for you, what do you like?
あなたは何が好きですか？
Anata wa nani ga suki desu ka?
Answer: As for me, I like coffee.
私はコーヒーが好きです。
Watashi wa koohii ga suki desu.
が (ga)
Question: Who is going?
誰が行きますか？
Dare ga ikimasu ka?
Answer: I am the one going.
私が行きます。
Watashi ga ikimasu.
を (o)
Question: Who did the teacher call?
先生は誰を呼びましたか？
Sensei wa dare o yobimashita ka?
Answer: The teacher called me.
先生は私を呼びました。
Sensei wa watashi o yobimashita.
に (ni)
Question: Who did she give the chocolate to?
彼女は誰にチョコレートをあげましたか？
Kanojo wa dare ni chokoreeto o agemashita ka?
Answer: She gave chocolate to me.
彼女は私にチョコレートをくれました。
Kanojo wa watashi ni chokoreeto o kuremashita.
の (no)
Question: Whose pen is this?
これは誰のペンですか？
Kore wa dare no pen desu ka?
Answer: This is my pen.
これは私のペンです。
Kore wa watashi no pen desu.
も (mo)
Question: Do you also play soccer?
あなたもサッカーをしますか？
Anata mo sakkā o shimasu ka?
Answer: Yes, I also play soccer.
はい、私もサッカーをします。
Hai, watashi mo sakkā o shimasu.
と (to)
Question: Who did you go shopping with?
あなたは誰と買い物に行きましたか？
Anata wa dare to kaimono ni ikimashita ka?
Answer: I went shopping with my friend.
私は友達と買い物に行きました。
Watashi wa tomodachi to kaimono ni ikimashita.