If you’ve ever wanted to say “me too!” in Japanese, も (mo) is your particle. One of the most natural and frequently used particles in the language, も marks inclusion. It signals that something is being added to a group, a conversation, or a shared experience. Think of it as the Japanese way of saying also, too, or as well.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how も works, walk through its structure, and show you how it shows up in real Japanese conversation through example sentences.

What is the Particle も (Mo)?

も is a particle that is generally used to indicate an addition or an inclusion. It attaches to words to indicate how they are included in a group or are an addition to something. It is similar to the English words “too” or “also”. Let’s take a look at a quick example:

コーヒーも好きです。
Koohii mo suki desu.
I also like coffee.

By attaching も to coffee, you are saying that you like coffee too, in addition to something else. Perhaps, earlier, you said that you like tea, so you can use the expression above to say that you like coffee too, and not just tea. Let’s dive into how the structure of も works in Japanese sentences. 

Structure of も (Mo)

The particle も attaches to different words, modifying them to express that they are additional elements. The structure is very simple. Here is a breakdown of how it works: 

も often follows a noun, following this general sentence pattern:

Noun + も + verb

Example: 

りんごも食べます。
Ringo mo tabemasu.
I will also eat an apple. 

While も is commonly used in this typical pattern, the particle can actually be used very flexibly. You can place it just about anywhere in a sentence and use it with different words and grammar types. Let’s take a look at how it works with grammatical patterns.

1. Using も with verbs:

も can attach to Japanese verbs to indicate additional actions that you do. You can attach it to different verb forms depending on the context. Here is how it works with verbs in dictionary form:

Verb (dictionary form) + の +も
歌う (utau | to sing) → 歌うのも (utaumo)

Example 1:

絵を描くのも上手です。
E o kaku no mo jouzu desu.
I am also good at drawing.

Another common usage of も with verbs is to negate both verbs using the grammar 〜もしない (~moshinai), which often expresses frustration or disappointment:

Verb (ます form) stem + も + しない／せずに
歌い (utai) → 歌いも (utaimo)

Example 2:

食べもしないし、飲みもしない。
Tabe mo shinai shi, nomi mo shinai.
He neither eats nor drinks.

However, if you want to attach も to verbs in て-form, it would express an entirely different meaning, something like “even if” or “even though.” This phrase often expresses a sense of surprise or highlights how something is different from what is expected.

Verb て-form + も
歌う → 歌っても

Example 3:

雨が降っても、イベントをキャンセルしません。
Ame ga futtemo, ibento o kyanseru shimasen.
Even if it rains, I won’t cancel the event.

2. Using も with い-adjectives:

も can also attach to い-adjectives, but only when they are conjugated into く form, and you also have to add ある (aru). Let’s break down how it works:

い-adjective (drop い) + く + も + ある
かわいい (kawaii | cute) → かわいくもある (kawaku mo aru)

Example:

この映画は長くもあり、つまらなくもある。
Kono eiga wa nagaku mo ari, tsumaranaku mo aru.
This movie is both long and boring.

3. With な-adjectives:

も attaches to な-adjectives using で, the te-form of だ, as a bridge. You have to add ある and follow the same logic as before, で connects the adjective to も, and then a verb or auxiliary completes the sentence.

な-adjective + で + も + ある
静か (shizuka | quiet) → 静かでもある (shizuka de mo aru)

Example 1:

この道具は安くもあり便利でもある。

Kono dougu wa yasuku mo ari, benri de mo aru.

This tool is both cheap and useful.

4. Using も (Mo) with Other Particles

You can even use も with different particles such as にも (nimo), とも (tomo), or でも (demo) to express that the phrase is included as part of something. Here is how you can use も with other particles:

Example:

美術館にも行きました。
Bijutsukan ni mo ikimashita.
I went to the museum as well.

*Note that particles like は (wa | subject marker), を (o | object marker), or が (ga | subject/object marker), are dropped whenever you use も. For instance, you cannot say ケーキがも好きです (keeki gamo sukidesu) as this is grammatically incorrect; to say the expression correctly, just simply drop the が: ケーキも好きです (keeki mo sukidesu).

5. Using も Twice

You can use も twice, following this pattern: AもBも + Verb, to say “both A and B” or when used in a negative context, “neither A nor B.” Using も in this pattern indicates that two things share the same characteristic. 

Example 1:

ハンバーガーもステーキも食べました。
Hanbaagaa mo suteeki mo tabemashita.
I ate both a hamburger and a steak.

Example 2:

メロンもスイカも好きではありません。
Meron mo suika mo sukidewa arimasen.
I don’t like either melons or watermelons.

5. も at the end of a sentence

も can also be used at the end of a sentence, usually as a response to include someone or something, similar to saying “too.”

Example:

友達：タイ料理が食べたいです。
Tomodachi: Tai ryouri ga tabetai desu.
Friend: I want to eat Thai food.

あなた：私も！
Anata: watashi mo!
You: Me too!

Uses & Examples of も (Mo)

While も generally translates to “also” in English, it has different nuances and uses in Japanese. So let’s explore how も can be used in different ways using examples that will allow you to understand how it’s used in natural Japanese.

1. Using も (Mo) as “Also”

This is likely the most common usage of the particle も, but there are several nuances as to how it works. While も is similar to the usage of “also,” it doesn’t necessarily work the same grammatically. Let’s take a look at an example to explore what we mean. 

ジョンも医者です。
Jon mo isha desu.
John is also a doctor. 

You can see in this example, も, attached to the subject, ジョン (jon) or John, which indicates how John is “also” a doctor. However, the English phrase “John is also a doctor” can have two meanings. One, could be that John is a doctor as well as someone else; the other meaning could be that he is a doctor in addition to other things (maybe other jobs, or another role like a father). 

But when も is attached to the subject, John, it can only mean that John is a doctor, in addition to someone else. If you want to say that John is also a doctor, along with other jobs, you would have to attach も to the word “doctor” instead. 

ジョンはエンジニアでもあり、医者でもあります。
Jon wa enjinia de mo ari, isha de mo arimasu.
John is not only an engineer, but he is also a doctor.

Here you can see how も is used to explain how John is also a doctor as well as an engineer. You probably noticed that we used the expression 〜であります (de arimasu) instead of です (desu). Just attaching も to 医者 (isha) and adding です would sound unnatural and wouldn’t complete the predicate (the clause that tells us about the subject). So, you would use も with 〜であります instead, to create the sentence, 医者でもあります (isha demo arimasu), meaning “he is also a doctor.” 

2. Using も (Mo) as “Either” or “Neither”

も can also mean either in certain contexts, or rather a negative form of “also.” Often, this way of using も follows a negative statement, to say that the person or object is also not included in the set or group. Here is an example to demonstrate how it works:

Example 1:

ハンバーガーは日本の料理ではありません、パッタイも日本の料理ではありません。
Hanbaagaa wa nihon no ryouri de wa arimasen, pattai mo nihon no ryouri de wa arimasen.
A hamburger is not Japanese cuisine, and Pad Thai is not Japanese cuisine either.

In the example above, も is used to explain how pad thai is also not a part of Japanese cuisine, along with hamburgers. In this context, it translates closely to “either” in English. But when も is used twice in a negative context, も translates closer to neither. Here is how it works:

Example 2:

ハンバーガーもパッタイも日本の料理ではありません。
Hanbaagaa mo patta mo nihon no ryouri de wa arimasen. 
Neither hamburgers nor Pad Thai is Japanese cuisine.

In this example, with も being attached to both hamburgers and pad thai, it expresses how neither of them is a part of Japanese food. As mentioned, using も twice indicates that both things are part of the set or group. Since the sentence is negative, it expresses how neither of them is part of the group nor set.

3. Using も (Mo) to Express Emphasis

も can also be used to express emphasis generally whenever you feel surprised or that something seems extreme. It can be used in both a positive and a negative connotation, often as a reaction to something someone tells you. You just attach it to a word or phrase that you want to emphasize. 

Example:

ケーキを30個も食べたんですか?
Keeki o sanjuu ko mo tabetandesuka?
You ate (that many) 30 cakes?

In this example, も is attached to 30個 (sanjuu ko), meaning 30 counts (of cakes) with 個 being a Japanese counter for general objects. Since eating 30 cakes is rather surprising, も expresses your sense of shock. For more details on how to use も in this context, check out our video from Yuka-sensei:

Common Mistakes When Using the Japanese Particle も (Mo)

1. Using も and は Together Incorrectly

も actually replaces は (and が) — it doesn’t join it. Think of も as stepping in to take over the topic-marking role, not sitting beside it.

For example, imagine your friend just said they’re heading out and you want to say you’re coming too. That’s exactly where も steps in — and where learners often overcorrect by keeping は in the sentence out of habit.

So instead of:

私はも行きます
Watashi wa mo ikimasu

The correct form is:

私も行きます
Watashi mo ikimasu ✓
I’m going too.”

2. Forgetting That も Replaces Other Particles

common mistake is leaving the original particle in and adding も on top of it, but in everyday Japanese, も replaces them entirely.

Think of it this way: if you’re at a restaurant and your friend orders sushi, then you want to say you’re having sushi too. You don’t need を anymore. も is already doing the job.

3. Overusing も for Emphasis

Because も feels like a simple “also,” learners sometimes drop it into sentences where Japanese speakers would use a different structure entirely. も marks inclusion in a set. If there’s no established group or comparison, the sentence can feel off to a native ear.

4. Confusing も with だって or でも

も isn’t the only way to express “also” or “even” in Japanese. だって and でも can overlap in meaning but carry different nuance and register. Using も in casual speech where だって would be more natural is a subtle but noticeable mistake.

5. Using も in Negative Sentences Without Adjusting the Meaning

In negative sentences, も shifts meaning from “also” to “either” or “not… either.” 私も行きません means I’m not going either, not I’m also not going. Learners sometimes write this correctly but misread what it actually says.

Conclusion:

The particle も is similar to saying “too” or “also” and is one of the most common particles used in everyday Japanese conversation. So, start incorporating this grammar point into your Japanese speaking by practicing with a teacher who can offer practical guidance at Coto Academy.

Coto Academy has been teaching Japanese for over 25 years, with campuses in Shinjuku, Shibuya, Yokohama, Iidabashi, Minato, and online. Our courses focus on practical Japanese, so the grammar you learn is designed for real-life use.

We offer part-time, intensive, and fully online lessons to suit your schedule. Start learning Japanese effectively and confidently with Coto Academy today!

Why join Coto Academy?

• Over  60+ different Japanese classes over 18 levels
• Small classroom of only up to 8 students for personalized support
• Professional, native Japanese teachers
• Ready to get started? Fill out the form below to contact us!

FAQ: Particle も (Mo)

The Japanese particle に (ni) is one of the language’s most essential — and most versatile — building blocks. Used to mark location, destination, time, purpose, and more, に roughly corresponds to “in,” “at,” “to,” or “towards” in English, though its exact meaning always depends on context.

If you’re a beginner trying to get a handle on particle usage, or an intermediate learner looking to sharpen your instincts, this guide covers every major function of に with clear examples and grammar patterns.

Meaning & Uses Particle に (Ni)

に (ni) is a Japanese particle with a wide range of uses that changes based on context. Let’s go through its main uses and meanings:

1. Describing Where Something Exists

The particle に (ni) describes where something exists, for instance, like saying where you live or that your house is in a certain area like a city, state, or country. In this usage, に closely translates to the English preposition “in.” Let’s take a look at some examples to demonstrate how it works.

Example 1:

東京に住んでいます。
Tokyou ni sunde imasu.
I live in Tokyo.

So, here に is used to indicate where you live by attaching to a place, which in this case is 東京 (Tokyo).

Example 2:

公園にたくさん木があります。
Kouen ni ki ga arimasu. 
There are many trees in the park.

Here に is used to indicate that lots of trees exist in the park. By attaching に to 公園 (kouen) or park, the sentence indicates that it is where the trees are located. 

2. For Indicating Destination

に is also used for indicating a destination that you are going to, arriving at, or heading towards. In this context, it translates closely to the English preposition “to.” In this context, it’s often used with verbs like 行く (iku) or 来る (kuru). 

Example:

学校に行きます。
Gakkou ni ikimasu.
I go to school

3. Using Particle に for Indicating Something Being Inside

に can be used to indicate that the subject is located inside of something, both physical or abstract. For instance, you can use ni to describe objects being inside a physical place (house, box, etc.), a category (genre, type, etc.), or even a time period, such as an era or a year.

Example 1:
果物は袋の中にあります。
Kudamono wa fukuro no naka ni arimasu.
The fruit is inside the bag.

Example 2:

寿司は江戸時代に初めて食べられました。
Sushi wa edojidai ni hajimete taberaremashita.
Sushi was first eaten in the Edo period.

4. Using Particle に for Indicating Time 

に is used to mark specific points in time, such as days, dates, and hours. For example, for saying “on Monday,” you would say 月曜日に (getsuyoubi ni), or for saying 3 o’clock, you would say 三時に (sanji ni).

Example 1:

6月に旅行するつもりです。
Roku gatsu ni ryokou suru tsumori desu.
I plan on traveling in June.

5. に for Indicating the Recipient of an Action

に marks the person receiving something, as in the receiver of a gift or someone who is being told something. For instance, it marks who is receiving a gift or who is being asked a question. 

Example 1:

友達にプレゼントをあげた 

tomodachi ni purezento o ageta 

I gave my friend a gift.

Example 2:

先生に聞いたほうがいいですね。
Sensei ni kiita houga iidesune.
It is better to ask the teacher.

6. Using Particle に for Indicating Purpose of Movement 

に can express the reason or purpose for going somewhere, such as 買い物に行く (kaimono ni iku) or “to go shopping.” In this usage, it closely translates to “going to (do something),” which is why it is often paired with 行く (iku), meaning “to go.”

Example:

友達と彼女に会いに行く。
Tomodachi to kanojo ni to ai ni iku.
I’m going to meet my girlfriend with my friend.

Check out our video on how to use に (ni) for indicating the purpose of movement:

7. Using Particle に for Indicating the Agent in Passive Sentences 

In passive constructions, に marks who performed the action. For this usage, に closely translates to “by” in English, identifying the person or thing responsible for what happened to the subject.

Example:

先生に褒められた。
Sensei ni homerareta.
I was praised by the teacher.

8. Using Particle に for Indicating Frequency

に can express how often something occurs within a given time period. For this usage, it closely translates to “per” or “a” in English, such as “three times a day” or “once a week.”

Example:

一日に三回薬を飲んでください。
Ichinichi ni sankai kusuri wo nonde kudasai.
Please take the medicine three times a day.

9. Using Particle に with なる (naru)

When using the verb なる (naru), which means “to become,” you actually need to use the particle に rather than a particle like を (o). You were probably taught that を is used to mark a direct object; however, in this phrase, に is used instead since it’s describing how the object is moving towards a state of being and isn’t directly being affected by the verb. 

Example:

弟は怒っている時は静かになります。
Otouto wa okotte iru toki wa shizuka ni narimasu.
My younger brother becomes quiet when he’s angry.

Structure of Particle に (ni)

に attaches to nouns, な-adjectives, or verb stems to indicate certain information. 

Noun + に (ni)

When attached to nouns, に can indicate that the noun is a place the subject lives, is going to, or is inside of. It doesn’t have to be just places, since に can attach to time expressions to indicate the year, month, day, hour, or frequency at which the subject did something. 

Additionally, it’s also used to indicate who is receiving something like a reward or salary, as well as who is at the receiving end of an action in a passive expression, like who is being praised or scolded. 

Adjective + に (Ni)

When attached to な-adjective, に transforms the adjective into an adverb, describing how an action is performed or how something is made or becomes a certain way. This is similar to adding “-ly” to an adjective in English, such as turning “clean” into “cleanly.” It is most commonly paired with either する (suru, to do/make) to express making something into a certain state, or なる (naru, to become) to express something naturally changing into a state.

Example 1:

部屋を綺麗にする。
Heya wo kirei ni suru.
To make the room clean.

Example 2:

日本語が上手になった。
Nihongo ga jouzu ni natta.
My Japanese has gotten better.

You probably noticed that に cannot attach to い-adjectives. That’s because the い conjugates to く, which plays the same role as に in certain contexts. For example, you wouldn’t say あたたかいになった (atatakai ni natta), meaning “became warm” since the あたたかい is an い-adjective. Instead you would say あたたかくなった (atatakaku natta).

Example:

スープは電磁レンジであたたかくなった。
Suupu wa denji renji de atataku natta.
The soup became warm in the microwave. 

Verb + に (Ni)

When attached to a verb stem, に expresses the purpose or reason for movement, indicating that the subject is going somewhere to do something. In this structure, the verb is reduced to its stem form before に, and is almost always followed by a movement verb such as 行く (iku, to go), 来る (kuru, to come), or 帰る (kaeru, to return).

Example:

友達と彼女に会いに行く。
Tomodachi to kanojo ni ai ni iku.
I am going to meet my girlfriend with my friend.

Particle に (Ni) vs Particle で (De)

The difference between に and で is often a source of confusion for Japanese learners. They can indicate places where something happens, but they both express very different things. 

に (ni) Expresses Destination or Existence

に expresses the destination you are heading to or existence, such as where you live or that Tokyo is in Japan. While で can also express existence somewhere, に expresses a more permanent existence, like long-term residence. So, で is more saying you are “at” a place, whereas に is expressing that you are “living in” a place. 

Example 1:

夏休みにタイに行く。
Natsuyasumi ni tai ni iku.
I am going to Thailand during the summer break. 

Example 2:

渋谷に住んでいる。
Shibuya ni sunde iru.
I live in Shibuya

で Expresses where an Action Happens

Unlike に、で designates where an action takes place rather than a place you are going to. You often use it to indicate the specific location where you did/will do something. However, keep in mind that で doesn’t generally describe your long-term residence somewhere.

渋谷で仕事をする。
Shibuya de shigoto o suru.
I work in Shibuya.

Particle に (Ni) vs Particle を (O)

に is often used with verbs, similar to the particle を; however, they are used for very different purposes. に doesn’t indicate a “direct object” that will be affected by the verb. Let’s break down what this means:

に (ni) Expresses Destination, Existence, or Purpose

に expresses the destination you are heading to, where something exists, or the purpose of movement. The noun or place marked by に is not being directly acted upon or changed by the verb — it simply provides context for where something is, where someone is going, or why someone is moving.

Example 1:

駅に行く。
Eki ni iku.
I am going to the station.

Example 2:

友達に会いに行く。
Tomodachi ni ai ni iku.
I am going to meet my friend.

を (o) Expresses the Direct Object of an Action

Unlike に、を marks the direct object of a verb — the thing that is being directly acted upon or affected by the action. Whatever is marked by を is receiving the full effect of the verb, whether it is being eaten, read, studied, or cleaned.

Example 1:

本を読む。
Hon o yomu.
I read a book.

Example 2:

部屋を掃除する。
Heya o souji suru.
I clean the room.

Using Particle に with にとって and によると

に forms the base of several important expressions that you’ll encounter frequently at the intermediate level. Two of the most useful are にとって and によると, both of which extend に beyond its basic uses into more nuanced territory.

にとって: “for” or “in terms of”

にとって is used to express how something is perceived or felt from a particular person’s perspective. It translates closely to “for,” “to,” or “from the standpoint of” in English, and is used to describe something that is true or significant for a specific person or group.

Structure: Noun + にとって

Example 1:

私にとって、日本語の勉強は楽しいです。
Watashi ni totte, nihongo no benkyou wa tanoshii desu.
Studying Japanese is enjoyable for me.

Example 2:

その決断は彼にとって簡単ではなかった。
Sono ketsudan wa kare ni totte kantan dewa nakatta.
That decision was not easy for him.

にとって is particularly useful when you want to express that something holds true from someone’s point of view, as opposed to being an objective fact. It personalizes a statement and is commonly used in opinions, advice, and reflective writing.

によると: “According to”

によると is used to cite a source of information. It translates directly to “according to” in English, and signals that what follows is based on something you heard, read, or were told, rather than your own direct knowledge.

Structure: Noun + によると / によれば

Example 1:

天気予報によると、明日は雨が降るそうです。
Tenki yohou ni yoru to, ashita wa ame ga furu sou desu.
According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.

Example 2:

先生によると、このテストはとても難しいらしい。
Sensei ni yoru to, kono tesuto wa totemo muzukashii rashii.
According to the teacher, this test is apparently very difficult.

You’ll notice that によると is often paired with そうです or らしい at the end of the sentence; these endings signal reported or hearsay information, which fits naturally with citing a source.

Using Particle に with Contact and Attachment Verbs

に is also used with verbs that describe physical contact, attachment, or placement, such as sitting on something, getting on a vehicle, or writing on a surface. In this usage, に marks the surface, object, or thing being directly contacted or attached to.

This is different from に marking a destination. While 学校に行く (gakkou ni iku) means you are going to school, 椅子に座る (isu ni suwaru) means you are making contact with the chair. The noun marked by に is not where you’re headed — it’s what your action lands on.

Structure: Noun + に + contact/attachment verb

Conclusion: The Particle に (Ni) Is a Versatile Tool Essential for Everyday Japanese

The particle に is one of the building blocks of the Japanese language, so it’s best to start incorporating this essential grammar point in your Japanese conversations. Therefore, we highly recommend practicing conversations with a teacher who can offer practical guidance at Coto Academy.

Study Japanese at Coto Academy!

Coto Academy has been teaching Japanese for over 25 years, with campuses in Shibuya, Yokohama, Iidabashi, Minato, and online. Our courses focus on practical Japanese, so the grammar you learn is designed for real-life use.

We offer part-time, intensive, and fully online lessons to suit your schedule. Start learning Japanese effectively and confidently with Coto Academy today!

Why join Coto Academy?

• Over  60+ different Japanese classes over 18 levels
• Small classroom of only up to 8 students for personalized support
• Professional, native Japanese teachers
• Ready to get started? Fill out the form below to contact us!

FAQ: Particle に

One of the most essential Japanese particles, で, is commonly used to indicate the location where an action takes place—similar to the English prepositions “at,” “in,” or “on.” However, many learners struggle to distinguish between で and に, since both can relate to place.

 Beyond marking the location of an action, で also has several other important uses. It can indicate the means or method of doing something (such as coming by bus or working on a computer) and can also be used to express quantity, categories, or components. 

So what are all the ways you can use で, and how do you use them correctly? This guide breaks down all of its meaning and uses, and provides a few pointers to keep in mind. 

Watch Our YouTube Video About the Particle で (De)

Before you continue reading, take a moment to check out our video breaking down the particle で with Nami-sensei.

Structure of Particle で (De)

The particle で attaches to nouns, including both concrete and abstract things. Depending on the context of the sentence, attaching で designates nouns as a location, means an action is done, or the quantity or makeup of something. Below is the general structure of で in a sentence:

Generally, verbs come after で, which has this common sentence structure:

Noun + で + Verb

Example:

図書館で勉強する。

Toshokan de benkyou suru.

I study at the library.

In Japanese, it is sometimes possible to end a sentence with the particle で without stating the verb. This usually happens in casual conversation when the verb is already clear from the context, especially when answering a question. Instead of repeating the full sentence, the speaker simply gives the important information, and the listener understands the omitted part.

Example:

どこで勉強したの？
Doko de benkyou shita no?
Where did you study?

図書館で。
Toshokan de.
At the library.

The full sentence would be:

図書館で勉強しました。
Toshokan de benkyou shimashita.
I studied at the library.

However, since the question already includes the verb 勉強した (studied), repeating it would sound unnecessary. The Japanese often omits information that is obvious from context, making the response shorter and more natural.

This kind of omission is common in everyday Japanese conversation and is called ellipsis (leaving out words that are understood from context).

Meaning & Uses of で (De)

で (de) is a particle that designates where or how an event takes place. It can designate a location or the means you do something, as well as add specifications to a sentence, such as the measurements of something, a category, or to describe the makeup of something. It’s a very versatile particle with a variety of uses that change based on the situation. Let’s take a look at the different uses of で.

1. Using で for Designating Location:

You can use で to designate both physical and non-physical locations, such as saying, ユーチューブで (yuuchuubu de) or “on YouTube.”  It is similar to saying “at” or “on” to indicate where something is happening.

レストランで食べる
Resutoran de taberu.
Eat at a restaurant.

2. Using で for Designating Means:

で can also designate the means by which something takes place. It’s similar to saying “with” or “by” to describe how you did something (ate with chopsticks) or went somewhere (came by bus). 

バスで行く。
Basu de iku.
Go by bus.

3. Using で for Specifying Quantity or Amount:

で can be used to specify the quantity, measurement, or amount of something. This is convenient for specifying how much you bought something for or how many miles you drove. 

100円で買う。
Hyaku en de kau.
Buy for 100 yen.

4. Using で for Specifying Ranges of Time:

You can also use で to specify a range of time, such as specifying how long it will take for something. You often use で to explain how long something will take, such as how long it will take you to complete something.

30分でご飯を作る。
Sanjuu pun de gohan o tsukuru.
Make the food in 30 minutes.

5. Using で for Describing the Makeup of Something:

You can also use で to describe the makeup of something, similar to saying “with” or “of” in English. You use the particle to specify the components of something, like the ingredients in a cookie or the parts of a machine.

ミルクで作りった。
Miruku de tsukutta.
Made of milk.

6. Using で for Giving a Reason or Cause

で can also be used to show the cause or reason for something. Generally, you express the cause + で, then the result. It can be translated to “because” in English and is similar to the Japanese grammar 〜ので (~node) or 〜から (~kara), which both establish a cause-and-effect relationship between 2 statements. 

病気で学校を休みました。
Byouki de gakkou o yasumimashita.
I missed school because I was sick.

で vs Other Particles

Learners often have lots of confusion surrounding when to use で versus other particles, such as に (ni) and を(o). So, let’s go through the differences, albeit very subtle, between the meaning and how each of these particles is used.

1. で vs に

The particles で and に can both be used after places, which is why they are so often a source of confusion for Japanese learners. So, here are the exact differences between them:

で → where an action happens

で designates where something takes place rather than a place you are going to. You often use it to indicate the specific location where you did/will do something. However, it’s not usually used for discussing your long-term residence somewhere.

公園で遊びます。
Kouen de asobimasu.
I play in the park.

に → destination or location of existence

に designates a destination that you will be going to or arriving at, rather than being used to specify a place where something happens. However, it can be used to specify a place of long-term residence, like the country you live in or whether you live in an apartment or a house.

公園に行きます。
Kouen ni ikimasu.
I go to the park.

日本に住む。
Nihon ni sumu
Live in Japan

You can think of で as temporary, like being at a park, where に is more permanent, such as where you live or where something is located. に is also used for describing a destination, like going “to” somewhere. On the other hand, で describes where an action is occurring.

2. で vs を

Both the particles で and を appear with locations, but they show different relationships and are used in different contexts.

で → where an action happens

で is only used to indicate a location where something happens. It does not indicate a noun that is being affected by the verb; it indicates a location where the action is taking place.

公園で走ります。
Kouen de hashirimasu.
I run in the park.

を → the path or space being moved through

を is used to mark the direct object of the sentence, so when it’s attached to a location noun, the verb is affecting it. However, when being used with a location like a park, for example, the meaning doesn’t change much from using the particle で.

公園を走ります。
Kouen o hashirimasu.
I run in the park.

While both of these examples feel similar, they are often used in different contexts. To simply say that you will run in the park, using を might feel a bit more natural. で is still grammatically correct, but it’s more often used to highlight a contrast, for example:

友達: 今日ジム混んでるね。
Tomodachi: Kyou jimu konderu ne.
Friend: The gym is busy today…

あなた: じゃあ今日は公園で走ろうか。
Anata: Jaa kyou wa koen de hashirouka.
You: Then, shall we run at the park for today?

So, in this example, で was used to focus on contrast: let’s run in the park rather than go to the gym. It somewhat puts emphasis on the location where you will be doing different activities.

Examples Sentences Using で (De)

Let’s take a look at a few example sentences to really understand how で is really used in actual Japanese conversation.

Example 1:

公園で子どもが遊んでいます。
Kouen de kodomo ga asonde imasu.
Children are playing in the park.

Example 2:

コンピューターで宿題をしました。
Konpyuutaa de shukudai o shimashita.
I did my homework on my computer.

Example 3:

日本語で話してください。
Nihongo de hanashite kudasai.
Please speak in Japanese.

Example 4:

とうもろこしでトルティーヤが作れました。
Toumorokoshi de torutiiya ga tsukuremashita.
I was able to make a tortilla out of corn.

Example 5:

雨で試合が中止になりました。
Ame de shiai ga chuushi ni narimashita.
The game was cancelled because of the rain.

Conclusion

で (de) is an essential grammar particle that you will likely use just about every other sentence in Japanese. It’s very versatile with a wide variety of uses, from describing where or how an event took place to adding specifications such as ranges of time, quantity, or causes.

To really get a better idea of how to use で correctly in Japanese conversation, you should practice as much as possible. So, we highly recommend taking Japanese classes with us at Coto Academy, where we teach practical Japanese from practical everyday phrases to how to read and write Japanese you will see in everyday life. 

We will soon be opening a campus in Shinjuku and already have campuses in Shibuya, Minato, Iidabashi, and Yokohama. But, if you’re not in Japan, no worries! We also offer online classes! No matter where or how you decide to learn with us, we offer both intensive and flexible courses, which can be tailored to your Japanese level or your specific language goals. Sign up below to get started!

FAQ:

The question that perplexes all Japanese learners at the beginning: Why is ha (は) read as wa in Japanese, sounding exactly the same as わ? We all thought Japanese phonetics were pretty straightforward, but just when you think you’ve nailed the hiragana and katakana writing systems, you come across this conundrum. 

Of course, once you’re used to reading, writing, and speaking Japanese, this problem is less of a real concern and more of an annoying tick. It doesn’t matter. It is what it is. No one really knows the answer, right? The same thing goes for ​へ (he), which is sometimes pronounced as ‘e’, and を (wo), which is always pronounced as ‘o’.  

But exploring the cultural significance and history of Japan can help you better understand the language. And if you’re left exasperated by the cookie-cutter answer, we’re here to give you a deep dive into the complex world of the Japanese language and linguistic evolution.

The Short Answer to Why We Pronounce Ha (は) as Wa (わ)

In grammar, は marks the topic of a sentence and is pronounced “wa” instead of “ha.” This is a special rule from classical Japanese that stuck — even though it’s written は, it’s spoken as “wa” when used as a particle.

Let’s take a look at three examples first, containing both the Japanese letters は and わ. 

おはようございます。
Ohayou gozaimasu. 
Good morning.

今日はいい天気ですね。
Kyou wa ii tenki desu ne. 
The weather is good today.

私の名前はコトです。
Watashi no namae wa Coto desu.
My name is Coto.

You may have pronounced the は and わ differently, or even interchangeably. You reflectively say kyou wa instead of kyou ha. Ohayou instead of owayou. And that’s great. That means you already know the proper Japanese phonetics. 

So did the sounds of these particles change since the spelling was set down? Or were the spellings intentionally chosen for some reason? Are there any other irregular kana spellings omitted?

The short answer is simple, really: if the は is used as a Japanese particle, it is pronounced as ‘wa’.  The particle は is the topic particle that identifies the topic of your sentence. 

If it’s used to build a Japanese word, as adjectives, adverbs, nouns, or even names, it goes back to its original pronunciation: ha. 

This is why the word おはようございます, which contains は, retains the typical ‘ha’ pronunciation. In the second and third sentences, は is the particle to help make the subject stand out: My name is Coto. Today is good weather.

The same thing for the character へ. Used in words, it is pronounced: “he”. When it’s a particle, it is pronounced: “e.” 

The Evolution of Japanese Language Phonetics: Wa and Ha

The particle は is still pronounced “wa” because it’s a historical spelling rule that dates back to classical Japanese. Over time, the pronunciation of Japanese sounds evolved, but a few traditional particles kept their old spellings. While most words were updated to match modern pronunciation, particles like は (wa), へ (e), and を (o) kept their original written forms for grammatical consistency — a linguistic “fossil” from Japan’s past.

If you’re still unsatisfied with that answer, we get it. Why is the は  particle specifically an exception? How did the sound and rule evolve into what they are in the present day? That short explanation might have just opened more doors to even more questions. 

The truth is, discrepancies between spelling and pronunciation are common, no matter the language. You’ll probably notice it in English more than in Japanese. Take the word tongue or island, for example. The Japanese language is no different, although the fact that the current Japanese spelling is almost completely phonemic makes anomalies like this stand out more. 

Only a handful of traditional spelling quirks remained, and using は for the particle that is pronounced wa is one of them.

In fact, this is what you need to know: just like society in general, language is ever-changing, and the sounds made by characters will shift over time. 

In the early history of Japanese (before 800 BC), the modern は  row of consonants, comprised of は, ひ, ふ, へ, ほ, were pronounced with ‘P’ as pa, pi, pu, pe, po. 

Enter the Nara Period (710 to 794). The ‘P’ sound underwent another change, shifting to a softer F sound: fa, fi, fu, fe, fo. This pronunciation stayed until the 16th century, judging from the transcripts made by the Portuguese of Japanese words that use the letter F where we would use H today.

For example, take the Japanese word for “mom”: 母. Today, it’s spelled as はは and pronounced as haha. In the old Japanese, the word is pronounced as fafa. 

After the Nara Period came the Heian Period (794 to 1185), where we see another shift: the F sound changed to W, but with a catch: the sound altered only when there was another vowel and when it was not at the beginning of the word.

The pronounciation changed from:

は    ひ    ふ    へ    ほ 
ha hi hu he ho

to:

は    ひ    ふ    へ    ほ 
ha hi hu he ho

This led to a verb such as 買う (買フor kafu in old Japanese) to be read as Kau (stemmed from kawu). The negative form of this verb underwent the same changes: instead of kapanai, it became kawanai.  

母 turns into fawa. The word for river, once pronounced as kafa, became the modern-day kawa. 

This marked the beginning of the transition where は is pronounced as わ. The particle は, which regularly appears after a vowel, was soon normalized as wa.

Eventually, in the Edo Period (1603 to 1867), people from various regions of Japan start to gather in Edo (the old Tokyo), This resulted in various dialects mixing and diluting. Eventually, the ‘F’ sound changed again to the H sound. 

Now, the 母 finally settled to its modern pronunciation that we know today: haha, spelled as はは. However, at that time, despite the new pronunciation, the words still used the old kana that represented the old pronunciation. 

This was the main linguistic problem. Up to World War 2, although the changes from the initial P sound to W sound were then widely accepted, the people still used historical usage. 

This meant 買う was still written 買フ (kafu) and 買わない was written as 買ハナイ (kahanai). Of course, the lack of standardized writing meant there was still a lot of confusing spelling. 

The Japanese Language Reform Changes Writing and Spelling

After World War 2, the Japanese government did a massive language reform to its writing and spelling rules to make things more even across the country. Remember the part where we said a lot of people from regional Japan were gathering in one capital? That was a huge wake-up call. So they decided to clean up the spelling and pronunciation of syllables. The official spelling of words needed to match the new pronunciation rules so that people wouldn’t think the word was supposed to be pronounced a different way. All ‘ha/は’ letters read as “wa” sounds were replaced with wa/わ. 川(かは) now was written as 川 (かわ). The kana へ, which was once pronounced e (now it’s he).

So Why Does The Particle Wa (は) Stick With The Old Spelling? 

The problem with change is that it’s usually easier said than done. Imagine this: close to a hundred million people in a country are following one unsaid linguistic rule. You can change the texts, rules, and writing across all books and paper, which in itself is already a mammoth task,  but you can’t change a society’s collective habit instantly. 

Now Japan has all these written texts where the wa ワ is written with the old Japanese rule: wa は kana. At the same time, the other は kana was now pronounced ha (ハ). 

And how do you make the entire nation write the wa は particle as wa わ? 

Simply put, it was too much trouble for Japan to try and make this change work — revamping the entire text, scripts, and literature for two particles was not worth it. The particles were excepted because many felt that changing these exceedingly common spellings would confuse people.

There you have it: up until today, we are saying the は particle according to the modern-day Japanese pronunciation, but the reason why it’s still spelled as ‘ha’ は and not わ is because we are still sticking to its traditional spelling. 

Modern pronunciation. Traditional spelling. Remember that.

Let’s Get Straight to The Point: Why Ha (は) Is Read as ‘Wa’

To sum up, は is pronounced as わ because the transcript reflects a pronunciation that did not change during the language reform. The sound わ  used to be written は in old kana usage in some cases. Old kana usage was much more irregular than it is nowadays. 

At that time, it was decided that for the particles alone, the same letters that had been used should continue to be used even though they are different from the actual pronunciation. 

Other Japanese Particles: Why を Is Read as “O” and へ as “E”

It’s the same thing with the readings for the particles へ and を, too. The modern sound え used to be written as へ in some cases and お as を. Of course, pronunciation varies, and sometimes you can hear a clear difference between お and を, for instance. Still, in all words, besides the particles, the old pronunciation differences have disappeared as time has passed.

There is an exception to the “wa” rule besides the Japanese particle, though. When は is used as the last letter of the greeting phrase, it follows the sound of a ‘wa’ particle. 

こんにちは
Actual spelling: Konnichiha.
Pronunciation: Konnichiwa

こんばんは
Actual spelling: Konbanha
Pronunciation: Konbanwa. 

To Sum It Up

There you have it: the core reason behind this ‘problem’ is simply because Japan never bothered to fully fix the two particles they spelled “wrong”. Instead, they went the easy route and deemed it the official, right way to do it. Problem solved.

The good news is that you’ll only have to deal with these in hiragana. Katakana is almost exclusively for foreign words, so you’re not really going to see particles written in katakana. 

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FAQ

Out of all Japanese particles that exist, the particle を (pronounced “o”) might be one of the most straightforward. The を particle is used to make a word the direct object of the sentence or the thing that is acted upon by the verb. There is no direct equivalent in English since the language doesn’t use particles to indicate the object or subject of the sentence. 

So let’s explore how the を (o) particle works, its structure, and example sentences.

What is The Particle を (O)?

を is a Japanese particle that designates the direct object, the word that is affected by the verb. For instance, let’s look at a simple sentence:

魚を食べる 
sakana o taberu
I eat fish

The particle を makes 魚 (sakana), or fish, the direct object, meaning it’s the object being acted upon. In this case, it tells us that the fish is the subject. You can think of を as a grammatical tool that turns words into the things that verbs affect in the sentence. 

Is を Pronounced as “Wo” or “O”?

を is pronounced as o, as in “ohio.” But you might be wondering why you often see を being written as “wo” in English. This is because to input を on a keyboard using the Roman alphabet, you have to type “wo”. If you have typed in Japanese on a Roman alphabet keyboard, you probably know that some characters need to be typed differently from how they are actually pronounced.

Pronunciation:

を → o 

Inputting on a Roman character keyboard:

wo → を

Generally, even in modern Japanese speeches, Japanese speakers prefer to spell it out as “o”. The “wo” pronunciation can sometimes be heard in songs, but it is often used to add emphasis, much like in Japanese, where singers sometimes exaggerate the “R” vowels into “L”. 

Structure of The Particle を (O)

を is the only Japanese hiragana character that can only be used as a particle. In most cases, を attaches nouns in a sentence to designate them as the direct object. Take a look at the breakdown below:

Usually, verbs come after を, following this typical sentence pattern:

Noun + を + verb

Example:

テレビを見る。
Terebi o miru。
I watch TV.

Changing Word Order with を

You are probably used to Japanese grammar, a typical order that generally goes as follows: subject → object → verb. However, it’s actually common to change the word order to create emphasis while still conveying the same meaning.

For example:

私がハンバーガーを食べた 
Watashi ga hanbaagaa o tabeta
I ate a hamburger

While this is a typical sentence structure in Japanese, grammar in Japanese is quite flexible and can be reordered like the following:

ハンバーガーを私が食べた
Hanbaagaa o watashi ga taberu
The hamburger, I ate it.

Despite the rearrangement of the words, “I ate a hamburger” is still clearly expressed. But, of course, the choice to rearrange the words might work to emphasize the subject or the object in certain contexts. 

Using を (O) at the End of the Sentence

It’s also common to use を at the end of a sentence as well, without saying a verb. Often, the verb is dropped since the meaning of the sentence is obvious based on the context. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples to understand how it works.

Example 1:

何を?
Nani o?
Of what?

This is a common question to ask when someone doesn’t specify. For instance, if someone says,昨日面白い映画を見た (omoshiroi eiga o mita) or “I watched an interesting movie yesterday,” you could respond with, 何を (nani o).

Example 2:

良いお年を
Yoi otoshi o
To a good new year!

This is a common Japanese New Year expression that roughly translates to “to a good new year.” The full expression includes the verb お迎えください (omukae kudasai).

Using を With Transitive vs Intransitive Verbs

One of the most common hurdles for new Japanese learners is deciding when to reach for the particle を (o) and when to let it go. The secret lies in the relationship between the subject and the action. To master this, we have to look at the world through the lens of transitive versus intransitive verbs.

Keep in mind that を can only be used with a transitive verb. Think of a transitive verb (他動詞; tadoushi) as an “active” force. These verbs require a direct object because someone or something is performing an action upon something else. 

Take the verb 開ける (akeru), meaning “to open.” When you physically reach out and move a door, you are performing a transitive action. In Japanese, you would say:

Transitive Verb:

ドアを開ける
Doa o akeru
Open the door

On the flip side, we have intransitive verbs (自動詞;  jidoushi). These verbs describe a state of being or a change that occurs naturally, without focusing on who started it. When using these, the direct object effectively disappears and becomes the subject of the sentence.

However, when it comes to intransitive verbs where there is no specified direct object, を is omitted. This is because を can only be used with verbs.  For instance, if you walk into a room and notice a door is already in the process of opening, you use the intransitive counterpart 開く (aku). Instead of using を, you switch to the subject particle が, resulting in:

Intransitive Verbs:

ドアが開く
Doa ga aku
The door opened

In this sentence, が is used instead of を, marking how ドア or “the door” became the subject when an intransitive verb is used. 

This is not to be confused with passive voice, where direct objects are still used with verbs like “eaten” or 食べられる (taberareru). Rather, intransitive verbs turn direct objects into subjects, which is why the Japanese particle changes. Let’s take a look at an example.

を vs Other Particles

Often, it feels like different particles can be used in similar situations, causing tons of confusion around deciding the correct particle to use. So, let’s explore how を is used compared to a couple of other particles.

1. を vs から (Kara)

を and から (kara) surprisingly have some overlap, specifically when discussing leaving a place. Say, you want to describe leaving your house. Which one should you use? Well, it actually depends on whether you are exiting or starting from your house.

Using を

When using を, the focus will be from the perspective of leaving your house. 

家を出る。
Ie o deru.
I leave the house.

Using から

When using から, the focus will be from the perspective of coming from your house.

家から出る。
Ie kara deru.
I come from my house.

2. を vs で (De)

を and で can also have some confusing overlap since sometimes you can use these particles to describe walking in a park, for example. But both of these particles express different situations.

Using を

When using を, you are describing the action of walking through a route rather than being at a location.

公園を歩く。
Kouen o aruku.
Walk through a park.

Using で

When using で, you are describing the location where an action is happening.

公園で歩く。
Kouen de aruku.
Walk in the park.

3. を vs は (Wa)

In a certain context, the particle は can replace を, but with a catch: when は (wa) replaces を (o), the meaning of your sentence shifts from a simple statement of fact to one of emphasis or contrast. In Japanese grammar, this is called topicalization. You are taking the “object” and promoting it to the “topic.”

Basically, you use を when you want to tell someone what you are doing as it is. You can replace it with は when you want to single out an object to compare it to something else or to emphasize that this is the specific thing you are talking about.

Why? When you switch to は, you are signaling to the listener: “Regarding this specific thing (as opposed to other things), here is the deal.” 

肉を食べます。
Niku o taberu
I eat meat.

When you replace the particle を with the same sentence, you add a new layer of context behind it.

肉は食べます。
Niku wa taberu
I eat meat (Speaking of meat, I eat it). 

We also swap to は when an object has already been brought up in conversation. If the object is what everyone is already looking at, it is no longer just an “object”. It is the topic

For instance, when your colleague is asking you about a report, they might ask:

レポートはどうですか？
Repooto wa dou desu ka?
How is the report?

In this case, when you want to answer, using を would feel slightly disconnected, like you’re introducing the report for the first time. Using は acknowledges that “the report” is the star of the current conversation.

レポートは書きました。
Repooto wa kakimashita.
As for the report, I wrote it.

Examples Sentences with を

Let’s take a look at some example sentences using を in different situations to really understand how this grammar tool works in actual spoken Japanese. Before that, check out the full vocabulary that appears in today’s examples at the table below.

1. Direct Object (Most Common Use)

This is the most common and important use of を. It clearly expresses what you eat, read, watch, make, and much more. 

Example:

毎日、日本の雑誌を読む。
Mainichi, nihon no zasshi o yomu.
I read Japanese magazines every day.

2. With する (Suru) Verbs

When you use nouns with the verb する (suru), meaning “to do,” they become verbs. So, を marks what you’re doing.

勉強をする
Benkyou o suru
to study

However, in casual speech, を is often dropped to make the expression shorter, essentially transforming it into a single verb: 勉強をする (drop を) → 勉強する. This allows you to add other objects without making the sentence feel convoluted. 

Example:

大学で経済を勉強している。
Daigaku de keizai o benkyou shite iru.
I am studying economics at university. 

4. Using を for Movement Through Space 

を can also mark the place an action moves through, not just an object. You may think the particle で plays a similar role; however, で expresses destination. When using を, you express movement along a route or path, rather than the destination. 

This includes not only places like parks or roads, but also directional paths such as up, down, across, and along. Let’s take a look at some examples to get a better idea.

Example 1:

新宿の公園を歩く。
Koen o aruku.
I walk through the park in Shinjuku.

Example 2:

階段を上る。
Kaidan o noboru.
I go up the stairs.

Example 3:

橋の上を歩く。
Hashi no ue o aruku.
I walk across the bridge.

5. Using を with Leaving a Place

を is also used to describe leaving a place by pairing it with verbs like 出る (deru), which means “to leave.” You might be thinking that this is very similar to how the particle から (kara) is used. You’re completely right; however, there are some differences in nuance. 

You can think of using を to simply describe leaving a place. But when using から (kara), you are describing leaving or coming from a place.

Example:

たいてい、朝の9時から家を出る。
Taitei, asa no ku ji kara ie o deru.
I usually leave the house at 9 in the morning.

Conclusion

を (o) is an essential particle that is used to designate the word that is being affected by the verb in the sentence. It’s one of the building blocks of Japanese and is useful for letting the listener know, for instance, that you are eating the apple, りんごを食べる (ringo o taberu / I eat the apple), and not the other way around, りんごは食べる (ringo wa taberu / the apple eats)!

Learn Japanese with Coto Academy!

To really get a better idea of how to use を correctly in Japanese conversation, you should practice as much as possible. So, we highly recommend taking Japanese classes with us at Coto Academy, where we teach practical Japanese from practical everyday phrases to how to read and write Japanese you will see in everyday life. 

We will soon be opening a campus in Shinjuku and already have campuses in Shibuya, Minato, Iidabashi, and Yokohama. But, if you’re not in Japan, no worries! We also offer online classes! No matter where or how you decide to learn with us, we offer both intensive and flexible courses, which can be tailored to your Japanese level or your specific language goals. Sign up below to get started!

FAQ

Want to learn more about Japanese particles? Read our guide on:

• Guide to Japanese Particle の (No): Functions, Use, Examples
• Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Particles
• Why Do We Pronounce Ha as Wa in Japanese?