みなさん, こんにちわ!
I have a question for all assembled today that will make me look like a GIANT tard, but I'll risk it anyway -
Is a double particle ever used?
This question arose from my friend and I who are both learning Japanese. We try to converse in Japanese as much as possible. Anywho, I said to my friend, (at the time we were eating apples) りんご が だいすき です.
He corrected me, saying that a double particle is used, making it りんご *は* が だいすき です.
Which is correct?
Double particles and TASTY APPLES

WillfromEngland
February 23, 2010

Sayaka-Matsuura
February 24, 2010
Konnichiwa Will-san,
First, double particles can be used in some occasions, however, りんご は が だいすき です is INCORRECT. You will rarely see が particle before or after other particles, such as は. Think of が as the bully-strong particle that doesn't like to be seen together with another particle.
So, the correct way to say "I like apples a lot" is: りんご が だいすき です. :P
Now, what double particles exist in Japanese?
Particles such as *ni*(に), *de*(で), *kara*(から) and *made*(まで) can be combined with "wa" to show contrast.
がっこう *に は* いかない。I won't go to school (but I will go somewhere else).
がっこう *で は* たべる。I eat at school (but I don't eat somewhere else).
がっこう *から は* あるけない 。I can't walk from school (but I can walk from somewhere else).
がっこう *まで は* あるける 。I can walk to school (but I can't walk to somewhere else).
-Sayaka :P

WillfromEngland
February 27, 2010
Wow, really comprehensive answer. :) Thanks so much.

Sayaka-Matsuura
March 1, 2010
どういたしまして Will-さん!
You are very welcome.
-Sayaka :P