Japanese Particles - Differences From English Prepositions

Differences From English Prepositions

Many Japanese particles fill the role of prepositions in English, but they are unlike prepositions in many ways. Japanese does not have equivalents of prepositions like "on", and often uses particles along with verbs and nouns to modify another word where English might use prepositions. For example, ue is a noun meaning "top/up"; and ni tsuite is a fixed verbal expression meaning "concerning", and when used as postpositions:

Tēburu-no  -ue-ni   aru.
Table-  top/up- exists.
"It's on the table."
Ano  hito-wa,    gitaa-ni   tsuite  nandemo wakaru.
That person- guitar- concerning anything  knows.
"That person knows everything about guitars."

Read more about this topic:  Japanese Particles

Famous quotes containing the words differences and/or english:

    I trust the time is nigh when, with the universal assent of civilized people, all international differences shall be determined without resort to arms by the benignant processes of civilization.
    Chester A. Arthur (1829–1886)

    In ancient times—’twas no great loss—
    They hung the thief upon the cross:
    But now, alas!—I say’t with grief—
    They hang the cross upon the thief.
    —Anonymous. “On a Nomination to the Legion of Honour,” from Aubrey Stewart’s English Epigrams and Epitaphs (1897)