Particle indicates the subject of a sentence literary in modern Japanese; usu. written as ヶ in place names indicates possession Conjunction but, however, (and) yet, though, although, while and used after an introductory remark or explanation after the volitional or -まい form of a verb regardless of ..., whether ... (or not), no matter ... indicates a desire or hope at sentence end softens a statement at sentence end indicates doubt after a noun at the end of an interjection indicates scorn