A common starting pattern is topic は + object を + verb, with the main verb at the end: 私わたしはパンを食たべます. Modifiers come before the word they describe. Compare the examples, then use the table to build your own sentences.

The idea

Polish «Czytam książkę» commonly places the verb before the object and can omit the subject. Japanese normally places the predicate at the end: 私わたしは本ほんを読よみます. Both languages allow some reordering, with different effects on emphasis. A common starting pattern is topic は + object を + verb, with the main verb at the end: 私わたしはパンを食たべます. Modifiers come before the word they describe. Compare the examples, then use the table to build your own sentences. 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.

Patterns to compare
Starting formForm or example
私わたしはパンを食たべます
本ほんを読よみます
家いえで勉強べんきょうします
学校がっこうへ行いきます

Examples

  • 兄あには朝あさパンを食たべます。My older brother eats bread in the morning.
  • 友達ともだちと公園こうえんで話はなします。I talk with a friend in the park.
  • 明日あした、学校がっこうで先生せんせいに会あいます。Tomorrow I will meet the teacher at school.
  • 私わたしは赤あかいかばんを買かいます。I buy a red bag.
  • 妹いもうとは家いえで音楽おんがくを聞ききます。My younger sister listens to music at home.
  • 今日きょうはコーヒーを飲のみません。I will not drink coffee today.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

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

  1. Put the parts in sentence order. (飲のみます/私わたしは/水みずを)

    Show answer or example answer

    私は水を飲みます

    私わたしは水みずを飲のみます — A common starting pattern is topic は + object を + verb, with the main verb at the end: 私わたしはパンを食たべます. Modifiers come before the word they describe.

  2. Choose the form that completes the sentence. 私わたしは__読よみます。(本ほんを/本ほんが)

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    本を

    本ほんを — 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.

  3. Choose the form that completes the sentence. 妹いもうとは家いえ__勉強べんきょうします。(で/を)

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    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.

Use it today

Cover the examples. Make two new sentences using the pattern, then check them against the table.