JLPT N5

を

Object marker

Structure

Noun を Verb

How it works

The particle 'を' (wo) is used to mark the direct object of a sentence. It indicates that the preceding noun is the thing being acted upon by the following transitive verb. In speech, it is usually pronounced as 'o'.

Examples

みずをのみます。

I drink water.

ほんをよみました。

I read a book.

テレビをみます。

I watch TV.

Common mistakes

Using 'を' with intransitive verbs like 'goes' (いきます) or 'exists' (あります). For example, do not say 'がっこうをいきます'.

Tip

To identify the direct object, ask 'What am I (verb)-ing?' The answer to that question is the noun that needs the 'を' particle.

More JLPT N5 grammar

はがにでものとや

See を in real Japanese

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