へ
へ
particle
direction marker (toward)
1.
direction/goal marker
Marks the direction of movement or destination. Emphasizes the direction of travel rather than the arrival point. Used with motion verbs like 行く, 来る, 帰る.
東京へ行く。
To go to Tokyo.
右へ曲がってください。
Please turn right.
明日、山へハイキングに行きます。
Tomorrow I'm going hiking in the mountains.
海へ向かって走ったら、とても気持ちがよかった。
When I ran toward the sea, it felt great.
夏休みに家族で北海道へ旅行に行って、おいしいものをたくさん食べた。
During summer vacation, I traveled to Hokkaido with my family and ate lots of delicious food.
2.
addressee marker (formal)
Used in formal writing, especially letters, to indicate the recipient. 田中様へ (To Mr./Ms. Tanaka).
田中様へ
To Mr./Ms. Tanaka
Formal letter addressee
お客様へのお知らせ
Notice to customers
先生へのお礼の手紙を書いた。
I wrote a thank-you letter to the teacher.
社長へのメールは丁寧に書いてください。
Please write emails to the company president politely.
卒業する友達へ、みんなで色紙にメッセージを書いた。
We all wrote messages on a card for our graduating friend.
へ marks direction of movement and is pronounced 'e' (not 'he') when used as a particle. It's largely interchangeable with に for motion verbs, but emphasizes the direction rather than the arrival point.
KEY DISTINCTION FROM に:
- へ = direction/orientation (heading toward)
- に = destination/arrival (getting there)
へ CANNOT replace に for:
- Existence: 部屋にいる (✓) vs. 部屋へいる (✗)
- Recipients: 友達にあげる (✓) vs. 友達へあげる (✗)
- Time: 三時に (✓) vs. 三時へ (✗)
へ is common in formal writing and letters (田中様へ). The pattern への creates a noun modifier: 成功への道 (road to success).
Related Words
Contrast:
に (destination/location)