It’s time for another tiny but mighty Japanese particle! 

This time we’re looking at を (wo); pronounced just like “o.”

Think of it as the spotlight that shows what the action is happening to.

I’m drinking… Drinking what? → Coffee! ☕

I’m studying… Studying what? → Japanese! 📚

I’m wearing…Wearing what?  → Pants?! 😂

The noun right before を is the one taking all the action!

And here’s the good news: in modern Japanese, を is basically used only as a particle.

So whenever you spot it, you can confidently say: “Aha, that’s the object marker doing its job!” 

Let’s check it out!

If you’re ever unsure, just remember: を = what’s being verbed. It’s the target of the action.

In casual daily speech, many people pronounce を simply as “o”, and it’s often very short, almost disappearing!

But don’t worry, in writing it’s always を. 

コーヒーをのみます。
koohii wo nomi masu.
I drink coffee.

日本語をべんきょうします。
nihongo wo benkyou shimasu. 
I study Japanese. 

毎日 まっちゃスイーツを 食べます。
mainichi maccha suiitsu wo tabe masu.
I eat matcha sweets every day. 

バスをのりまちがえました。
basu wo norimachigae mashita.
I took the wrong bus. 

日本りょこうをけいかくしています。
nihon ryokou wo keikaku shite imasu.
I’m planning a trip to Japan. 

ねる前、J-popをききます。
neru mae, J-poppu wo kiki masu.
I listen to J-pop before going to bed. 

友だちをまっています。
tomodachi wo matte imasu.
I’m waiting for my friend.

• Grammar Point: を (wo) 
• JLPT Level: N5
• Meaning: Object marker (marks the direct object of a verb)
• Quick Explanation:  を comes right after the noun that is the direct object of the action.

In other words, it tells us what the verb is acting on.

So that’s how we use を in Japanese!

It’s the particle that shines the spotlight on the object of the action; basically, what the action is being done to.

Once you start paying attention, you’ll find を everywhere: studying Japanese, watching anime, even when reading my blog or social media posts! 

Now it’s your turn, try making your own sentences with を and see how many objects you can spotlight in your daily life! ✨

Your Sensei,

Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫

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