Now that you’ve learned a bit about the roles of particles at the end of sentences,
you know that just adding a particle at the end can completely change the meaning
of a sentence. Let’s continue our study of particles at the end of sentences with
a look at three more common particles and their most common uses. (Note: You may
find these particles used differently within sentences as well.)
Kana/Kashira
A sentence that ends with “kana” or “kashira” is an uncertain statement,
a reflection, and even a polite, softened request. The basic translation is “I wonder.”
The only difference between the two particles is that “kana” is principally
used by men and “kashira” is nearly exclusively used by women.
Take any statement and add “kana” or “kashira” and you have turned
the statement into an uncertain statement, a reflection, or a request, depending
on the context. Here are examples of the particles as uncertain statements:
Noriko-san wa eigo ga dekiru.
“Noriko-san can speak English.”
Noriko-san wa eigo ga dekiru kana.
“I wonder if Noriko-san can speak English...”
Inu wa burokkorii ga suki da.
“Dogs like broccoli.”
Inu wa burokkorii ga suki da kashira.
“I wonder if dogs like broccoli...”
Below are examples of the particles as reflections:
Ashita no kurasu wa nanjikan hajimaru kana.
“Now, I wonder what time class starts tomorrow…?”
Kai wa nanyoubi datta kashira.
“Now, I wonder what day the meeting was…?”
And here are examples of the particles as polite, softened requests:
Keitaidenwa wo watashi ni kasu kana.
“I wonder if you could lend me your cell phone?”, i.e., “Could you lend me your
cell phone?”
Watashi no tame ni tegami wo kaku kashira.
“I wonder if you could write a letter for me?”, i.e., “Could you write a letter
for me?”