A common starting pattern is topic は + object を + verb, with the main verb at the end: 私はパンを食べます. Modifiers come before the word they describe. Compare the examples, then use the table to build your own sentences.
The idea
German Ich lese ein Buch puts the finite verb second; in weil ich ein Buch lese it comes last. Japanese 私は本を読みます also puts the predicate last in a typical main clause. Unlike German case endings, Japanese particles follow phrases; context can allow the subject to be omitted. A common starting pattern is topic は + object を + verb, with the main verb at the end: 私はパンを食べます. Modifiers come before the word they describe. Particles mark roles: を marks many direct objects, で the place of an action, and に or へ a destination. Time and place phrases often come before the object.
| Starting form | Form or example |
|---|---|
| 私は | パンを食べます |
| 本を | 読みます |
| 家で | 勉強します |
| 学校へ | 行きます |
Examples
- 私は朝お茶を飲みます。I drink tea in the morning.
- 田中さんは駅で友達を待ちます。Tanaka waits for a friend at the station.
- 明日、図書館で本を読みます。Tomorrow I will read a book at the library.
- 赤いかばんを買います。I buy a red bag.
- 今日はコーヒーを飲みません。I will not drink coffee today.
- 明日は公園へ行きます。I will go to the park tomorrow.
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Watch out
The order of marked phrases can change for emphasis; it is not a rigid word-for-word template. A topic or subject can be omitted when context makes it clear.
Try it yourself
Put the parts in sentence order. （飲みます／私は／水を）
Show answer or example answer
私は水を飲みます
私は水を飲みます — A common starting pattern is topic は + object を + verb, with the main verb at the end: 私はパンを食べます. Modifiers come before the word they describe.
Choose the form that completes the sentence. 私は＿＿読みます。（本を／本が）
Show answer or example answer
本を
本を — Particles mark roles: を marks many direct objects, で the place of an action, and に or へ a destination. Time and place phrases often come before the object.
Choose the form that completes the sentence. 妹は家＿＿勉強します。（で／を）
Show answer or example answer
で
で — Particles mark roles: を marks many direct objects, で the place of an action, and に or へ a destination. Time and place phrases often come before the object.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Put the parts in sentence order. （飲みます／私は／水を）
Choose the form that completes the sentence. 私は＿＿読みます。（本を／本が）
Choose the form that completes the sentence. 妹は家＿＿勉強します。（で／を）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Cover the examples. Make two new sentences using the pattern, then check them against the table.