を (Direct Object)目的語
を (pronounced "o") marks the direct object of a transitive verb — the thing that receives the action. But を also marks the space you move through, the place you leave, and the route you take. Understanding all five uses gives you full mastery of this essential particle.
を (pronounced "o") marks the direct object of a transitive verb — the thing that receives the action. But を also marks the space you move through, the place you leave, and the route you take. Understanding all five uses gives you full mastery of this essential particle.
Use 1: Direct object marker
The most common use: を marks the thing that the verb acts upon. パンを食べる (eat bread), 本を読む (read a book), 映画を見る (watch a movie). The structure is simple: [object]を[transitive verb]. If the verb is intransitive (no object), you do not use を.
Use 2: Space you move through
を marks the space traversed during motion: 公園を走る (run through the park), 空を飛ぶ (fly through the sky), 道を歩く (walk along the road). This is not a direct object — it’s the path of movement. The verb is intransitive (走る, 飛ぶ, 歩く), yet を is correct.
を vs で for location
Don’t confuse this with で (location of activity). 公園を走る = run through/across the park (traversal). 公園で走る = run in the park (activity location). The difference: を implies a route or path; で implies a contained area where the activity takes place.
Use 3: Point of departure
を marks the place you leave: 家を出る (leave the house), 大学を卒業する (graduate from university), 電車を降りる (get off the train), バスを降りる (get off the bus). The departure point takes を with verbs like 出る, 卒業する, 降りる, 離れる.
Use 4: Turning point
を marks the point where you change direction: 角を曲がる (turn the corner), 交差点を右に曲がる (turn right at the intersection). This is related to the movement-through use but specifically marks the pivot point.
Use 5: を in causative and special constructions
In causative sentences, を can mark either the direct object or the person being made to do something: 子供を泣かせた (made the child cry). In ～をしている constructions, を marks the activity: 仕事をしている (doing work), 勉強をしている (studying). These compound verb phrases treat the noun + する as a unit.
Example sentences
毎朝牛乳を飲んでいます。
Maiasa gyuunyuu o nonde imasu.
I drink milk every morning.
を marks the direct object (milk)
橋を渡って右に曲がってください。
Hashi o watatte migi ni magatte kudasai.
Please cross the bridge and turn right.
を marks the space traversed (bridge)
来年大学を卒業します。
Rainen daigaku o sotsugyou shimasu.
I'll graduate from university next year.
を marks departure (leaving the university)
鳥が空を飛んでいる。
Tori ga sora o tonde iru.
Birds are flying through the sky.
を marks the traversed space (sky)
次の角を左に曲がってください。
Tsugi no kado o hidari ni magatte kudasai.
Please turn left at the next corner.
を marks the turning point
彼女は毎日ピアノを弾いている。
Kanojo wa mainichi piano o hiite iru.
She plays the piano every day.
Standard direct object usage
Common mistakes
映画が見る (eiga ga miru)
映画を見る (eiga o miru)
見る is a transitive verb. The object of a transitive verb takes を, not が. が would only work with 見える (potential: "can see").
公園で散歩する (kouen de sanpo suru, for "stroll through")
公園を散歩する (kouen o sanpo suru)
When you walk through/around the park as a path, use を. で would mean the park is just the location where the activity happens, not the route.
電車から降りる (densha kara oriru)
電車を降りる (densha o oriru)
For vehicles you physically exit (trains, buses), use を with 降りる. から is used for rooms/buildings but not for vehicle dismounting in standard usage.
Frequently asked questions
Is を pronounced "wo" or "o"?
In modern standard Japanese, を is pronounced "o" — identical to お. The "w" sound is archaic. However, some speakers in certain dialects and formal singing may pronounce a faint "w." For all practical purposes, pronounce it "o."
Can I drop を in casual speech?
Yes, very commonly. In casual conversation, を is often dropped entirely: コーヒー飲む？ (Want some coffee?) instead of コーヒーを飲む？ This is natural and not a mistake. However, always include it in writing and formal speech.
Why do some verbs use が instead of を for the object?
Verbs of ability, emotion, and sensation take が instead: 日本語が分かる (understand Japanese), 水が飲みたい (want to drink water), 音が聞こえる (can hear a sound). These are technically the grammatical subject of the predicate, not direct objects.
Which particle marks the direct object?