を
Meanings
direct object marker
Marks the direct object of a transitive verb. The most basic and frequent use of を.
I read a book.
subject of causative
Marks the person made to do something in causative constructions. The causer is marked by が or は.
The mother made her child go shopping.
Marks a place through which movement occurs, often with motion verbs like 歩く, 走る, 飛ぶ, 通る.
I take a walk in the park.
Marks a time span during which an action occurs, often with verbs like 過ごす, 暮らす, 生きる. Not used for a specific point in time.
I spent the summer vacation abroad.
Marks a point of departure or separation, used with verbs like 出る, 降りる, 離れる, 卒業する.
I get off the train.
object of desire/like/hate
Marks the object of emotions or desires with adjectives like 好き, 嫌い, 欲しい, and verbs like 望む. In modern Japanese, が is also common for these, but を is used especially when the object is clearly acted upon or in subordinate clauses.
See also: が
I love cats.
Usage patterns· 8
- 〈物〉を欲しいto want a thing (object of desire)
I've been wanting a new pair of shoes.
- 〈人〉を〈動詞〉せるto make/let someone do something (causative)
The teacher made the student stand in the hallway.
- 〈場所〉を歩くto walk along/through a place
I walk through the park every evening.
- 〈場所〉を出るto leave/exit a place
I left home at seven in the morning.
- 〈物〉を〈動詞〉to do something to a thing (direct object)
I drink coffee every morning.
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- 〈時〉を過ごすto spend a period of time (doing something)
I spent the summer vacation with my family.
- 〈場所〉を通るto pass through/along a place
If you go along this road, you'll reach the station.
- 〈場所〉を卒業するto graduate from a place
I graduated from university last year.