Particles in Japanese are often compared to English prepositions (e.g., in, on, at, by).
However, Japanese also has combined particles that give a more nuanced meaning.
In this article, we’ll focus on the location particles に and で.
But be careful—I’m not referring to a combination like 「にで」or 「でに」, which don’t exist.
Instead, we’ll discuss the particles 「には」「では」and 「にも」「でも」.
Difference between には and では
The difference between には and では lies mainly in the nuance of emphasis and contrast. Additionally, both particles often provide a general idea or state a fact, and are used to contrast or emphasize specific elements in the sentence. には is often used to describe what a person has or owns, giving the sentence a personal touch.
1. には:
The particle に indicates location or direction, and by adding は (a topic or contrast marker), the combined particle には emphasizes or contrasts that location or subject. It often draws attention to a specific place or person in the context of the conversation.
Examples:
- 日本に忍者がいます。 (にほんに にんじゃが います。)
— “There are Ninja in Japan.”
Here, the particle に simply indicates the location (Japan). The speaker is stating a fact: Ninja exist in Japan. - 日本には忍者がいます。 (にほんには にんじゃが います。)
— “In Japan, there are Ninja.”
By adding は, the speaker is emphasizing or contrasting “In Japan” with other places. The sentence sounds more specific or even dramatic, depending on the context. The speaker might be implying that while other countries might not have Ninja, Japan does. - 彼に言わないでね。 (かれに いわないで ね。)
— “Don’t tell him.”
The particle に indicates the direction (toward him). - 彼には言わないでね。 (かれには いわないで ね。)
— “Don’t tell him (specifically).”
Here, に + は adds contrast or emphasis. The speaker might be implying, “Don’t tell him (but maybe it’s okay to tell others).” - 私には夢があります。 (わたしには ゆめが あります。)
— “I have a dream.”
In this case, には is used to express what the speaker possesses (a dream). It emphasizes the speaker’s ownership of the dream. - 私には双子の兄がいます。 (わたしには ふたごの あにが います。)
— “I have a twin brother.”
Here, には indicates the ownership of a twin brother, focusing on the speaker having that specific relationship. - 私には友達がいません。 (わたしには ともだちが いません。)
— “I don’t have any friends.”
Again, には is used to describe what the speaker lacks, emphasizing the fact that they have no friends.
2. では:
The particle で indicates the location of an action. By adding は, the combined particle では emphasizes or contrasts that location where the action is taking place. This often brings focus to a particular place in relation to an action happening there.
E.g.
- 学校では英語を話しましょう。 (がっこうでは えいごを はなしましょう。)
— “Let’s speak English at school.”
Here, では emphasizes that the action (speaking English) should happen at school, possibly contrasting it with other places. - 家では日本のドラマを見ます。 (いえでは にほんの どらまを みます。)
— “At home, I watch Japanese dramas.”
This emphasizes the location home, suggesting a contrast with other places where the speaker might not watch Japanese dramas.
A Brief Review of に and で :
- に: Indicates location (without action) or direction.
- で: Indicates the location where an action takes place or the means of doing something.
With Additional Particle も
The particle も adds the nuance of also or too, emphasizing that something applies to multiple places or people.
E.g.
- 日本にも毒ヘビがいます。 (にほんにも どくへびが います。)
— “There are also venomous snakes in Japan.”
Here, にも suggests that venomous snakes can be found not only in Japan but possibly elsewhere as well. - 家でも日本語を勉強します。 (いえでも にほんごを べんきょうします。)
— “I also study Japanese at home.”
Here, でも emphasizes that the speaker studies Japanese not only in other places (like school or work) but also at home.
With Direction Particle に
The particle に indicates direction, not only location.
E.g.
- いつか韓国にも行ってみたいです。 (いつか かんこくにも いってみたい です。)
— “Someday, I also want to visit Korea.”
Here, にも shows the speaker’s desire to go not only to other places, but also to Korea. - 映画の前に時間がありそうなので、本屋にも行きましょう。 (えいがの まえに じかんが ありそう なので、ほんやにも いきましょう。)
— “It looks like we have time before the movie, so let’s also go to the bookstore.”
The use of にも suggests that in addition to other places they plan to visit, they will also go to the bookstore. - 私にも同じものをください。(わたしにも おなじものを ください。)
— “Please give me the same thing as well.”
にも shows that the speaker is requesting the same thing that someone else has received. - このことは誰にも話したことがありません。(このことは だれにも はなしたことが ありません。)
— “I haven’t told this to anyone.”
誰にも emphasizes that the speaker has not shared this information with anyone at all, stressing the totality of the statement.
With Means Particle で
The particle で is also used to indicate means (how something is done).
E.g.
- はい、日本語でも話せますよ。 (はい、にほんごでも はなせます よ。)
— “Yes, I can also speak in Japanese.”
Here, でも indicates that Japanese is one of the means the speaker can use to communicate. - “Koala”は日本語では何と言いますか？ (「Koala」は にほんごでは なんと いいますか？)
— “How do you say ‘koala’ in Japanese?”
Here, では emphasizes in Japanese as the language of interest, contrasting with other languages. - “Koala”は日本語でもコアラです。 (「Koala」は にほんごでも こあら です。)
— “‘Koala’ is also ‘koala’ in Japanese.”
でも here indicates that the word “koala” is the same in both languages. - バスでも行けますか？ (ばすでも いけますか？)
— “Can I also go by bus?”
Here, でも emphasizes that the bus is another means of transport, possibly in addition to other options.
Why Does “オーストラリアにはカンガルーがいます” Make Sense, but Not “オーストラリアには犬がいます”?
The sentence オーストラリアにはカンガルーがいます 。 (おーすとらりあにはかんがるーがいます。)
ー”There are kangaroos in Australia”
uses には to emphasize the fact that kangaroos are found specifically in Australia. Kangaroos are iconic to Australia, and the sentence emphasizes this special connection.
However, if you say
オーストラリアには犬がいます。 (おーすとらりあには いぬが います。)
ー”There are dogs in Australia”
it sounds strange because dogs are not unique to Australia. They are common worldwide, so there is no reason to emphasize their presence in Australia. In this case, it would be more natural to simply say オーストラリアに犬がいます to state the plain fact, without any special emphasis.
That said, by adding more information and context,
オーストラリアには世界一有名な犬がいます。 (おーすとらりあには せかいいち ゆうめいな いぬが います。)
ー “There is the most famous dog in the world in Australia”
makes sense. In this case, には is used to emphasize the specificity of the famous dog, which adds significance to its presence in Australia. The sentence shifts the focus from a generic animal to a notable, unique feature, making the use of には appropriate.
Conclusion:
には is used to emphasize the presence of something in a specific location or to contrast it with other locations. It highlights a unique or notable feature, often implying that the element is specific to or special in that place. に also serves a directional function, indicating where something is headed or directed, as in “toward” or “to” a person or place.
では, on the other hand, emphasizes the location where an action takes place. It contrasts the action happening in one location with other possible locations, often focusing on where the action should or could occur. では also indicates a means to do the action.
にも and でも add the nuance of “also” or “too,” further emphasizing inclusion in a list of places or actions. They indicate that something occurs in addition to other locations or actions already mentioned, while にも can also reflect directional emphasis (e.g., wanting to go to an additional place).