へ indicates a destination or direction
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Place ] へ [ Verb ]
English Meaning
[ Verb ] to [ Place ]
The particle "へ" is primarily used to indicate a destination or the direction of movement.
This usage often pairs with verbs associated with movement or change, such as "to go" (行く), "to come" (来る), "to head towards" (向かう), "to return" (帰る), "to run" (走る), and so on.
In addition to indicating a destination or direction, the particle "へ" also emphasizes the process of movement or change itself.
Hence, "へ" does not merely point to a final destination, but also accentuates the direction of an action, its progression, and the journey involved.
Japanese
東京へ行く
English
I go to Tokyo.
Japanese
家へ帰る
English
I go home.
Informal or Formal
Informal
Formal
Spoken or Written language
Spoken
Written
※ My personal impressions are quantified and may vary from person to person.
へ indicates the direction of an action or effect
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Object ] へ [ Intransitive Verb ]
- [ Object ] へ [ Object ] を [Transitive Verb]
- [ Object ] から [ Object ] へ [ Object ] を [ Transitive Verb ]
English Meaning
to
The particle "へ" in Japanese is typically used to indicate the target or direction of an action or emotion. In other words, "へ" signifies where an action or influence is directed towards or aimed at.
Let's take a closer look at the phrase "彼への感謝の気持ち". If translated directly, this phrase means "gratitude directed towards him". In other words, it is expressing the emotion of gratitude towards a specific person, "him".
In this context, the particle "へ" signifies that the "gratitude" (the effect or result) is aimed at "him" (the target or direction). The presence of "へ" explicitly shows that this emotion is directed at a specific person, emphasizing its directionality.
This is an example of how "へ" is not only used to indicate physical movement but also to denote the direction of abstract movements or influences, such as emotions or thoughts.
Japanese
子供たちへプレゼントをあげた。
English
I gave presents to the children.
Japanese
彼へ手紙を送った。
English
I sent a letter to him.
Japanese
彼へ電話をした
English
I called him.
Japanese
彼はどこかへ消えていった。
English
He disappeared somewhere.