Kotomora
JLPT N5Particle
Furigana

Direct-object marker

The particle marks the person or thing directly acted on by an action verb. It tells you what someone eats, reads, watches, buys, makes, or otherwise affects.

How it works

The particle is written but pronounced in modern standard Japanese. Place it immediately after the object. An optional topic can come first, giving the common order “topic + object + action.”

Basic actions

Look for the noun directly before ; that is what the action affects.

わたしりんごをべます。

I eat an apple.

Analyze

テレビであいました。

I watched the game on television.

Analyze

Asking what

A

こんなにつくりますか。

What are you making tonight?

Analyze
B

さいカレーをつくります。

I’m making vegetable curry.

Analyze

なに asks for the missing object of the action.

More examples

まいあさしんぶんみます。

I read the newspaper every morning.

Analyze

ともだちしゃしんおくりました。

I sent a photo to a friend.

Analyze

あたらしいくついたいです。

I want to buy new shoes.

Analyze

まえここにいてください。

Please write your name here.

Analyze

しゅうまつえいました。

I watched a movie over the weekend.

Analyze

ねこさかなべています。

The cat is eating fish.

Analyze

うけつけひとびます。

I’ll call the receptionist.

Analyze
を (o) – Direct-object marker