Japanese word

ぞ

Pronunciation

Romajizo

Meaning

  • particleI tell you

Example

父は「行くぞ」と言います。chichi wa i ku zo to i i ma su

My father says, "I am going, you know."

Illustration for ぞ (I tell you)

More examples

兄は「明日は試験だぞ」と、私に教えてくれました。ani wa asu wa shi ken da zo to watashi ni oshi e te ku re ma shi ta

My older brother told me, "The test is tomorrow!"

Core concept

Turns a statement into a firm, emphatic message that the speaker presents as especially important to the listener.

Common phrases

  • 行くぞi ku zo

    Let's go

  • やるぞya ru zo

    Let's do it

  • いいぞi i zo

    That's good

Similar words

よyo: A sentence-final particle used to assert information clearly and draw the listener's attention to it.
ねne: A sentence-final particle that expresses a shared feeling or invites the listener to agree.
ぜze: A casual sentence-final particle used to give a statement energetic and masculine emphasis.

Definition in Japanese

文末に付けて、事柄を強く断定したり、相手に注意を促したりする語。bun matsu ni tsu ke te koto gara o tsuyo ku dan tei shi ta ri ai te ni chū i o unaga shi ta ri su ru go

Word origin

ぞ (zo) is a native Japanese sentence-ending particle with an emphatic function; historical sources show its use, but they do not establish a certain original meaning.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 行くぞ (iku zo) is a familiar energetic way to announce departure, while the same ending can sound overly strong in a polite conversation.

Word lists with this word