grammar

Sentence Structure (SOV)

文の構造

Japanese sentences follow a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order, unlike English's Subject-Verb-Object. The verb always comes at the end. Master this pattern and you'll be able to construct any Japanese sentence!

Subject + Object + Verb

The basic Japanese word order

Formation: [Subject]は + [Object]を + [Verb]

Think of it as: 'I apple eat' instead of 'I eat apple'

私わたしはりんごを食たべます。

彼かれは水みずを飲のみます。

Verb at the End

The verb ALWAYS comes last

Formation: [Everything else] + Verb

This is the #1 rule — never put anything after the verb

田中たなかさんは毎日まいにち本ほんを読よみます。

私わたしは朝あさコーヒーを飲のみます。

Subject Can Be Omitted

Drop the subject when it's obvious from context

Formation: [Object]を + [Verb]

Japanese speakers often skip 'I' or 'you' — context makes it clear

日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうします。

寿司すしを食たべました。

Time Comes First

Time expressions go at the beginning

Formation: [Time] + [Subject]は + [Object]を + [Verb]

When did it happen? Say that first!

昨日きのう映画えいがを見みました。

毎朝まいあさ運動うんどうをします。

Particles Mark Roles

Particles tell you what role each word plays

Formation: [Word]は/が/を/に/で + ...

は = topic, が = subject, を = object, に = direction/time, で = place/means

猫ねこが魚さかなを食たべます。

友達ともだちと公園こうえんで遊あそびます。