3.3 Particles を, に, で, へ

を (o) — direct object

を (o) marks the direct object: パンを食べます (pan o tabemasu) = eat bread. (Written を but pronounced 'o.')

に and へ — direction/place

に (ni) marks a destination, time, or existence location; へ (e) also marks direction: 学校に行きます / 学校へ行きます = go to school. に also marks a specific time: 三時に.

で (de) — location of action / means

で (de) marks where an action happens or the means: 図書館で勉強します (study at the library), 電車で行きます (go by train).

Key terms

を (o)

direct-object particle: パンを食べます

に (ni)

destination, specific time, existence

へ (e)

direction (written へ, said 'e')

で (de)

location of an action / means

Example

図書館で勉強します — study at the library

Try an AP-style question

"パンを食べます": を marks…

1. the topic
2. the time
3. the direct object
4. the location of action