Meaning
へ shows where you are heading with verbs such as 行く, 来る and 帰る. With these verbs it is nearly interchangeable with に, but へ cannot be used for time or existence.
Formation
How to build this grammar pattern, with an example for each case.
| Use | Structure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go | Place へ 行く | 日本へ行きます。 | I go to Japan. |
| Come | Place へ 来る | 学校へ来ます。 | I come to school. |
| Return | Place へ 帰る | 家へ帰ります。 | I go home. |
| With の | Place への Noun | 日本への旅行 | a trip to Japan |
Usage notes
Pronounced e
As a particle, へ is read e, not he.
Close to に
With 行く, 来る and 帰る you can use either へ or に.
Movement only
へ cannot mark time or existence. Use に for those.
Example sentences
日本へ行きます。
I go to Japan.
家へ帰ります。
I go home.
駅へ歩いて行きます。
I walk to the station.
友達の家へ来ました。
I came to my friend’s house.
どこへ行きますか。
Where are you going?
Common mistakes
✗ Incorrect七時へ起きます。
✓ Correct七時に起きます。
へ shows direction, not time.
✗ Incorrect日本ヘ行きます。
✓ Correct日本へ行きます。
The particle is hiragana へ, not katakana ヘ.
Similar grammar
に
Time, destination, existence
学校に行きます。 I go to school.で
Place of action
学校で勉強します。 I study at school.から
Starting point
家から来ました。 I came from home.Quick quiz
1. 日本（ ）行きます。
2. 家（ ）帰ります。
3. How is the particle へ pronounced?
4. どこ（ ）行きますか。
5. 七時（ ）起きます。 (time)
6. Which pair is similar in meaning?
7. 学校（ ）来ました。
8. 駅（ ）歩いて行きます。
9. Which sentence is correct?
10. へ is mostly used with…
Frequently asked questions
Why is へ read e?
へ was once read he. As a particle it kept its spelling but is now said e. Inside words like 部屋 it is still he.
Should I use へ or に?
With 行く, 来る and 帰る both are fine. If you are unsure, に is always safe.