GRAMMAR DETAIL
を
Follows a noun to mark the object directly affected by a transitive verb.
Examples
本を机の上に置きました。
I put the book on the desk.
Words used
母は夕食を作っています。
My mother is making dinner.
Words used
父は庭の木を切りました。
My father cut down the tree in the garden.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Add
をafter the noun serving as a transitive verb's object. The particle is pronouncedお. - Basic usage: In
本を机の上に置きました。, the book is the object being placed.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Object and placement
- In
本を机に置く,本をidentifies the item and机にits destination. Choose particles from each noun's relationship to the verb rather than word order in translation.
- In
- When the predicate changes
本を読むdescribes reading a book, while本があるdescribes its presence. Referring to the same book does not require keepingをwhen the predicate changes.