〜を 動詞

Meaning

The particle を is used to mark what or whom an action affects. The basic pattern is 'Noun + を + Verb'. While を has three main functions—marking direct objects, indicating a starting point of movement, and showing space/time traversed—the direct object use is most common. When expressing that someone does something to someone/something else, the pattern becomes 'Noun₁ は Noun₂ を Verb'.

Formation

Examples

1. ごはんを たべる
   to eat rice/a meal

2. おさけを のむ
   to drink alcohol/sake

3. なにを する
   to do what

4. けさ みそしると すしを たべました。
   This morning I drank miso soup and ate sushi.

5. あんどうさんは ほんを かります。
   Mr. Ando borrowed a book.

6. かいしゃを でる
   to leave/exit the company

7. とうきょうを はなれる
   to leave Tokyo

8. こうえんを はしる
   to run through the park

Summary

• を marks the direct object of an action (most common use: ごはんを食べる - eat rice)
• を can indicate the starting point of movement with motion verbs (会社を出る - leave the company)
• を can mark space or time being traversed (公園を走る - run through the park)