Japanese Particle も (mo)
Master “Also, Too” and Addition with Comprehensive Examples
Table of Contents
1. Basic Concept of も (mo)
も (mo) is a Japanese particle that means:
1. “Also” or “Too” – adds information to what was already mentioned
2. “Even” – emphasizes inclusion or extent
3. “Neither” or “Not either” – in negative sentences
Think of も as extending or adding to what’s already been established, like saying “this too” or “that as well.”
2. Basic Usage (“Also/Too”)
Pattern: [Item] も [Verb/Description]
も adds the meaning of “also” or “too” to include additional items.
Replacing は (Topic Marker)
| Original (は) | With も | English | Meaning Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| わたし は がくせい です。 | わたし も がくせい です。 | I am also a student. | Adding to previous information |
| たろう は きます。 | たろう も きます。 | Taro is coming too. | Someone else is also coming |
| これ は おいしい です。 | これ も おいしい です。 | This is delicious too. | Another item is also delicious |
Replacing が (Subject Marker)
いぬ が います。ねこ も います。
Inu ga imasu. Neko mo imasu.
There’s a dog. There’s also a cat.
Replacing を (Object Marker)
りんご を たべます。みかん も たべます。
Ringo o tabemasu. Mikan mo tabemasu.
I eat apples. I also eat oranges.
3. Replacement Usage
Important: も Replaces Other Particles
も does not combine with は, が, or を. It completely replaces them.
| Incorrect | Correct | English | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| わたし は も がくせい です。 | わたし も がくせい です。 | I am also a student. | も replaces は |
| ねこ が も います。 | ねこ も います。 | There’s also a cat. | も replaces が |
| みかん を も たべます。 | みかん も たべます。 | I also eat oranges. | も replaces を |
Combining with Other Particles
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Combination |
|---|---|---|---|
| がっこう に も いきます。 | Gakkou ni mo ikimasu. | I also go to school. | に + も |
| うち で も べんきょうします。 | Uchi de mo benkyou shimasu. | I also study at home. | で + も |
| にほん から も きます。 | Nihon kara mo kimasu. | They also come from Japan. | から + も |
4. Negative Usage (“Neither/Either”)
Pattern: [Item] も [Negative Verb]
In negative sentences, も means “neither,” “not either,” or “not even.”
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| わたし も いきません。 | Watashi mo ikimasen. | I’m not going either. | Someone else isn’t going |
| これ も すき じゃ ありません。 | Kore mo suki ja arimasen. | I don’t like this either. | Don’t like other things too |
| だれ も きませんでした。 | Dare mo kimasen deshita. | Nobody came. | Not even one person |
| なに も たべません。 | Nani mo tabemasen. | I don’t eat anything. | Not even one thing |
Special Negative Expressions
どこ に も いきません。
Doko ni mo ikimasen.
I don’t go anywhere.
いつ も いそがしい です。
Itsu mo isogashii desu.
I’m always busy.
5. Comprehensive Example Sentences
| Japanese (Hiragana) | Romaji | English Translation | Usage Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| ともだち も きます。 | Tomodachi mo kimasu. | My friend is coming too. | Addition (replacing が) |
| にほんご も べんきょうします。 | Nihongo mo benkyou shimasu. | I also study Japanese. | Addition (replacing を) |
| わたし も がくせい です。 | Watashi mo gakusei desu. | I am also a student. | Addition (replacing は) |
| きのう も あめ が ふりました。 | Kinou mo ame ga furimashita. | It rained yesterday too. | Time addition |
| ここ に も ねこ が います。 | Koko ni mo neko ga imasu. | There’s also a cat here. | Location addition |
| かれ も こません。 | Kare mo kimasen. | He’s not coming either. | Negative addition |
| だれ も いません。 | Dare mo imasen. | Nobody is here. | Negative universal |
| どこ で も かえます。 | Doko de mo kaemasu. | You can buy it anywhere. | Universal positive |
| この ほん も おもしろい です。 | Kono hon mo omoshiroi desu. | This book is also interesting. | Addition (replacing は) |
| あした も はたらきます。 | Ashita mo hatarakimasu. | I work tomorrow too. | Time addition |
6. Quantity and Emphasis
Emphasis and Extent
も can emphasize quantity, extent, or surprising inclusion.
Large Quantities
| Japanese | Romaji | English | Emphasis |
|---|---|---|---|
| じゅうにん も きました。 | Juunin mo kimashita. | As many as 10 people came. | Surprisingly large number |
| ごじかん も べんきょうしました。 | Gojikan mo benkyou shimashita. | I studied for as long as 5 hours. | Surprisingly long time |
| みっつ も かいました。 | Mittsu mo kaimashita. | I bought as many as three. | More than expected |
Universal Expressions
いつ で も だいじょうぶ です。
Itsu de mo daijoubu desu.
Anytime is fine.
だれ で も できます。
Dare de mo dekimasu.
Anyone can do it.
7. も vs Other Particles – Key Differences
も = “also, too, even” (additive)
は = topic marker (neutral)
が = subject marker (neutral)
を = object marker (neutral)
| Particle | Function | Example | Translation | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| も | Addition | わたし も がくせい です。 Watashi mo gakusei desu. | I am also a student. | Someone else is too |
| は | Topic | わたし は がくせい です。 Watashi wa gakusei desu. | I am a student. | Basic statement |
| も | Negative addition | わたし も いきません。 Watashi mo ikimasen. | I’m not going either. | Someone else isn’t going |
| が | Subject | わたし が いきません。 Watashi ga ikimasen. | I am not going. | Emphasizing who specifically |
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| わたし は も がくせい です。 | わたし も がくせい です。 | も replaces は, don’t combine them |
| ほん を も よみます。 | ほん も よみます。 | も replaces を, don’t combine them |
| なに か も たべません。 | なに も たべません。 | Use なに も for “nothing/anything” |
| だれ か も きませんでした。 | だれ も きませんでした。 | Use だれ も for “nobody/anyone” |
| いつ か も いそがしい です。 | いつ も いそがしい です。 | Use いつ も for “always” |
Congratulations!
You’ve completed the comprehensive guide to the Japanese particle も (mo). Practice with different additions and negative expressions to master this essential grammar point!
も (mo) Particle Quiz
Test Your Knowledge of “Also” and “Too”
Exercise 1: Basic Addition
How do you say “I am also a student”?
Explanation: も replaces は when adding “also/too” meaning. Don’t combine は and も.
Exercise 2: Replacement Rule
Complete: “I also eat oranges.” みかん ___ たべます。
Explanation: も replaces を completely. Never use を も together.
Exercise 3: Negative Usage
What does “わたし も いきません” mean?
Explanation: In negative sentences, も means “either” or “neither” – someone else is also not going.
Exercise 4: Universal Negative
What does “だれ も きませんでした” mean?
Explanation: だれ も + negative = “nobody” or “not anyone” (universal negative).
Exercise 5: Combining with Other Particles
Which is correct for “I also go to school”?
Explanation: も can combine with に, で, から, etc. because these show location/method, not core grammatical roles.
Exercise 6: Nothing/Anything
How do you say “I don’t eat anything”?
Explanation: なに も + negative = “nothing” or “not anything”. Don’t use なに か も.
Exercise 7: Quantity Emphasis
What does “ごじかん も べんきょうしました” emphasize?
Explanation: も can emphasize surprisingly large quantities or amounts – more than expected.
Exercise 8: Always Expression
What does “いつ も いそがしい です” mean?
Explanation: いつ も = “always” or “all the time” (universal positive time expression).
Exercise 9: Anywhere Expression
Complete: “You can buy it anywhere.” どこ ___ かえます。
Explanation: どこ で も = “anywhere” (universal location where action happens). Use で for action location.
Exercise 10: Common Mistake
Which sentence is WRONG?
Explanation: も replaces が completely. Never use が も together.
Exercise 11: Time Addition
What does “きのう も あめ が ふりました” mean?
Explanation: も can add “too/also” to time expressions – it rained on other days as well.
Exercise 12: Context Understanding
What is the main function of も?
Explanation: も is additive – it includes additional items/people/actions and replaces basic particles.
How did you do?
Check your answers by selecting options above. Each correct answer will show in green!
