クリスマス・イブ

あめ

rain

Since it's raining heavily, I can't go outside.

Refers to the atmospheric water droplets falling from clouds.

topic marker particle

This year, the cherry blossoms bloomed early.

Marks the topic of a sentence - what the sentence is about. Often implies contrast with other possible topics. Written as は but pronounced 'wa'. Differs from が which marks the grammatical subject.

よふけ

late at night; dead of night

I indulged in reading until late at night.

Refers to the deep hours of the night.

すぎ

past; after; over

He is already over forty, but he looks very young.

Used as a suffix after time or age to indicate having passed that point.

particle indicating time, location, target, or indirect object

I plan to meet friends on the weekend.

Multiple uses: marks specific time (when), location of existence (where something is), target/recipient of action (to whom/what), or purpose. Context determines meaning.

ゆき

snow

It has been snowing since last night.

Refers to frozen atmospheric water vapor that falls as white flakes.

to, toward (directional particle)

I walk to school.

Indicates direction or destination of movement. More directional than に which can indicate static location. Cannot be used for time expressions (use に). Pronounced 'e' despite being written へ.

and, with (particle)

My opinion differs from my older brother's.

Connects nouns (A and B), indicates accompaniment (with someone), marks quotations, or shows comparison/contrast. Cannot connect sentences like English 'and'.