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

In Mandarin 我看书 places 看 before 书; Japanese 私は本を読みます places 本を before the predicate. Both languages can put modifiers before nouns and omit understood subjects, but Japanese particles mark roles after phrases. Other orders exist in both languages. 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.

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

  • 私わたしは毎朝まいあさ、パンを食たべます。I eat bread every morning.
  • 父ちちが本ほんを読よみます。My father reads a book.
  • 駅えきで友達ともだちに会あいます。I meet a friend at the station.
  • 明日あした、図書館としょかんで本ほんを読よみます。Tomorrow I will read a book at the library.
  • 妹いもうとは家いえで日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうします。My younger sister studies Japanese at home.
  • この店みせでパンを買かいます。I buy bread at this shop.

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.

  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）

    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.

  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）

    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.

Use it today

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