Using へ (Direction Particle)

How is へ different from に?

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1. Pronunciation

 

　When へ is used as a particle, it is pronounced:

 

え (e)

 

It is written へ, but pronounced え.

 

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2. What is へ?

 

　へ = “to” / “toward”

 

　へ shows the direction of movement.

 

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3. Basic Pattern

 

　Place / Direction + へ + Movement Verb

 

 

 

Examples

 

　にほん へ いく。

　I go to Japan.

 

　がっこう へ いく。

　I go to school.

 

　いえ へ かえる。

　I go home.

 

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4. へ = Direction

 

　This example makes the meaning of へ easy to understand.

 

　きたへ いく。

　I go north.

　↑

　The exact destination is not decided.

 

　へ only shows the direction of movement.

 

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5. へ and に

 

　When talking about movement, へ and に can often both be used.

 

　へ = direction

 

　に = destination

 

Examples

 

　がっこう へ いく。

　I go to school.

 

　がっこう に いく。

　I go to school.

 

　Both are natural.

 

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6. Another Use of へ

 

　へ can also show who or what something is directed toward.

 

　In this pattern, の comes after へ.

 

Noun + への + Noun

 

Examples

 

　あなた への プレゼント。

　A present for you.

 

　せんせい への てがみ。

　A letter to the teacher.

 

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7. Key Point

 

　へ is pronounced え.

 

　へ = direction

 

　Place / Direction + へ + Movement Verb

 

　きた へ いく。

　I go north.

 

　がっこう へ いく。

　I go to school.

 

Also:

 

　Noun + への + Noun

 

　あなた への プレゼント。

　A present for you.

 

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