Grammar JLPT Level N5 - Lesson 2

Structure of ね:

Sentence + ね

Details about ね:

The particle ね is placed at the conclusion of a sentence in Japanese. It can also be elongated to ねえ for emphasis. A speaker uses ね when they are seeking confirmation or assuming the listener will agree with them. Because of this function, it is frequently translated into English as 'right?', or 'isn't it?'. To use ね, you just attach it to the end of a complete sentence.

この映画(えいが)は面白(おもしろ)いね。
This movie is interesting, isn't it?
このケーキは甘(あま)いね。
This cake is sweet, isn't it?
この部屋(へや)は静(しず)かだね。
This room is quiet, isn't it?
日本語(にほんご)は難(むずか)しいですね。
Japanese is difficult, isn't it?

In a later lesson, we will look at the final particle な, which can be considered the counterpart to ね. You use ね to express a feeling or idea that you believe is shared with the listener, creating a sense of connection. In contrast, な is used mostly for the speaker's own internal thoughts and reflections.

この歌(うた)はいいですね。
This song is nice, don't you think? (You and a friend are listening to music together. You say this to share your enjoyment, expecting your friend to feel the same way)
この歌(うた)はいいな。
Wow, this song is good. (You are listening to music with a friend when a song you really like comes on. You say this more to yourself, as a personal expression of your feelings)

Fun Fact

The particles よ and ね are often used together at the end of a sentence as よね. This combination is used when you are quite sure that the listener will share your opinion or already knows the information.

試験(しけん)は明日(あした)ですよね。
The exam is tomorrow, right?

Caution

Compared to でしょう or だろう, ね carries a much softer nuance of confirmation. It is often used conversationally as a way to soften a statement, sometimes with very little meaning beyond making the sentence sound friendlier.

ね