JLPT N5-N3 reference
を: object and routeを ・ O
The particle を most often marks the thing directly affected by a transitive verb. With movement verbs, it can instead mark a route or place being left.
Direct objects
Place を after the noun that the action directly affects.
毎朝、コーヒーを飲みます。Maiasa, kōhī o nomimasu.I drink coffee every morning.
妹は映画を見ました。Imōto wa eiga o mimashita.My younger sister watched a film.
Route and departure
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| place + を + movement verb | move through or along | 公園を歩きます。 Walk through the park. |
| place + を + departure verb | leave or get off | バスを降ります。 Get off the bus. |
| place + を + exit verb | come out of | 家を出ます。 Leave home. |
を and は together
For contrast or an established object topic, は can replace を.
肉は食べませんが、魚は食べます。Niku wa tabemasen ga, sakana wa tabemasu.I do not eat meat, but I do eat fish.
Common errors
- Write the particle as を, even though modern pronunciation is normally o.
- Do not use を with intransitive verbs: ドアが開きます means “the door opens.”
- Ability with 分かる normally takes が: 日本語が分かります。
Quick summary
- を marks the direct object of a transitive verb.
- Movement verbs use it for a route, space traversed, or departure point.
- Contrastive は can replace object を.
- Learn verbs with their usual particle patterns.