Hey there, fellow Japanese adventurer! Welcome to Day 39 of our 100-day JLPT N5 challenge.
Today, we’re tackling the particle も (mo), which lets you say “too,” “also,” or “as well.”
Let’s dive in and keep that streak alive—learn Japanese for beginners starts with one particle at a time!
The Main Lesson: Breaking Down も Step by Step
By the end, you’ll be ready to sprinkle も into your sentences like a pro.
Step 1: What Is も and How Does It Work?
“も” is a particle (a helper word) that adds inclusion or emphasis. It means:
- “Too” or “also” in positive sentences (e.g., adding to a list).
- “As well” for smoother flow.
- “Even” or “Either” in negatives for surprise or emphasis.
Key Rule: も attaches directly after a noun, pronoun, or sometimes another particle. It often replaces particles like は (wa) or を (o) to avoid clunkiness.
Pronunciation Guide: Say it as “moh” – short and soft, like the “mo” in “mope” but without the ‘p’. In romaji, it’s always “mo.” Stress the syllable before it lightly for natural rhythm.
Step 2: Basic Usage with Examples
Let’s see も in action. I’ll give hiragana, romaji, and English—repeat them out loud!
- Adding “Too” to People or Things:
- わたし も いきます。 (Watashi mo ikimasu.) – I go too.
- Context: If someone says “Tom goes,” you reply with も to join in.
- わたし も いきます。 (Watashi mo ikimasu.) – I go too.
- With Objects (Replacing を):
- ねこ も すきです。 (Neko mo suki desu.) – I like cats too.
- Imagine listing pets: “Dogs are cute. Cats too!”
- ねこ も すきです。 (Neko mo suki desu.) – I like cats too.
- Combining with Other Particles (Like に for “To”):
- とうきょう にも いきます。 (Tōkyō ni mo ikimasu.) – I go to Tokyo as well.
- Great for travel talk: Adding destinations.
- とうきょう にも いきます。 (Tōkyō ni mo ikimasu.) – I go to Tokyo as well.
- Multiple も:
- いぬ も ねこ も かわいい です。(inu mo neko mo kawaii desu.) – Both dogs and cats are cute.
- Using も after multiple nouns (like “いぬ も ねこ も”) emphasizes that the statement applies to all listed items. It’s like saying “both A and B” (for positive) or “neither A nor B” (for negative) in English.
- いぬ も ねこ も かわいい です。(inu mo neko mo kawaii desu.) – Both dogs and cats are cute.
New Vocabulary List
To make も shine, learn these N5-level words.
| Hiragana/Katakana | Romaji | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| おとな | otona | adult |
| こども | kodomo | child |
| せんせい | sensei | teacher |
| ともだち | tomodachi | friend |
| おかあさん | okaa-san | mother |
| おとうさん | otou-san | father |
| おねえさん | onee-san | older sister |
| おにいさん | onii-san | older brother |
| いもうと | imouto | younger sister |
| おとうと | otouto | younger brother |
| おばあさん | obaa-san | grandmother |
| おじいさん | ojii-san | grandfather |
Practice Section: Quiz Time – Test Your も Skills!
Pick the best option and answer them!
Question 1: What does “わたし も ねこ が すき です” (Watashi mo neko ga suki desu) mean?
Question 2: Which sentence uses も correctly to mean “as well”?
Question 3: Translate “Grandmother drinks tea too”
Question 4: Translate “My older brother likes cats too.”
Question 5: Translate “I eat only bread for breakfast. The teacher does too.”
Question 6: What does “この へや に おとな も こども も います。” (Kono heya ni otona mo kodomo mo imasu) mean?
Conclusion: Your も Victory Lap
Key takeaways: Attach も after nouns for “too/as well,” replace other particles smartly, and use it for emphasis in negatives. This isn’t just grammar; it’s the glue for real chats, making your Japanese feel alive.
Consistency is your superpower—adults like us win with steady 10-minute sessions. How many sentences with も did you make today?
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