Japanese word

を

Pronunciation

Romajio

Meaning

  • particleobject marker

Example

水を飲みます。mizu o no mi ma su

I drink water.

Illustration for を (object marker)

More examples

絵本を読みます。e hon o yo mi ma su

I read a picture book.

週末は公園を歩きます。shū matsu wa kō en o aru ki ma su

I walk through the park on weekends.

Core concept

The particle を (o) marks the thing directly affected by an action.

Common phrases

  • ご飯を食べるgo han o ta be ru

    eat a meal

  • 本を読むhon o yo mu

    read a book

  • 音楽を聞くon gaku o ki ku

    listen to music

Similar words

はwa: Marks what a sentence is mainly about or what is being contrasted.
がga: Marks the person or thing that performs an action or has a quality.
にni: Marks where an action is directed or when it takes place.
でde: Marks the place or means used for an action.

Definition in Japanese

動作の対象となる物事を示す助詞。dō sa no tai shō to na ru mono goto o shime su jo shi

Word origin

The kana を (o) developed from a cursive form of the man'yōgana 遠 (wo, "far"), an ancient spelling used for the syllable wo.

Usage tips

  • In modern standard Japanese, を (o) is pronounced like o, and its role is recognized from its position after the object.

Word lists with this word