JLPT N5 grammar comparison
よ (emphasis / new information) vs ね (agreement / confirmation)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
The difference
From the よ (emphasis / new information) lesson
ね (agreement / confirmation): ね checks shared knowledge or asks for agreement; よ delivers new information.
From the ね (agreement / confirmation) lesson
よ (emphasis / new information): よ gives the listener new information; ね assumes they already share it.
Side by side
よ (emphasis / new information)
yo (emphasis, new information) · JLPT N5
- Meaning
- Sentence-final particle: tells the listener something they do not know, gives emphasis or reassurance.
- Formation
Polite sentence + よ (〜ですよ ／ 〜ますよ)Plain sentence + よ (〜だよ ／ 〜るよ)
この店は安いですよ。
この みせは やすいですよ。
This shop is cheap, you know.
もう八時ですよ。
もう はちじですよ。
It's already eight o'clock!
ね (agreement / confirmation)
ne (agreement, confirmation) · JLPT N5
- Meaning
- Sentence-final particle: "isn't it? / right?" — seeks agreement or confirms shared knowledge.
- Formation
Polite sentence + ね (〜ですね ／ 〜ますね)Plain sentence + ね (〜だね ／ 〜るね)そうですね = "Yes, that's right / let me see"
いい天気ですね。
いい てんきですね。
Nice weather, isn't it?
田中さんは日本人ですね。
たなかさんは にほんじんですね。
Mr Tanaka is Japanese, right?
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between よ (emphasis / new information) and ね (agreement / confirmation)?
ね checks shared knowledge or asks for agreement; よ delivers new information.
When do you use ね (agreement / confirmation) instead of よ (emphasis / new information)?
よ gives the listener new information; ね assumes they already share it.