を

The particle を is the direct object marker in Japanese. It indicates the noun (or phrase) that receives the action of a transitive verb. It is written with the kana を but pronounced "o."

Marking the direct object

The most fundamental use of を is to mark what a verb acts upon – the thing being eaten, read, watched, made, etc.

Most transitive verbs (verbs that take an object) use を to connect to their object. If you can ask "what?" or "whom?" about the verb, the answer is typically marked with を.

Movement through a space

を can also mark the place or path through/along which movement occurs. This is used with motion verbs like あるく歩く, はしる走る, とぶ飛ぶ, わたる渡る, and とおる通る.

In this usage, を does not mark a direct object but rather the route or area of movement.

Point of departure

を is used with verbs like でる出る (to leave), おりる降りる (to get off), and そつぎょう卒業する (to graduate from) to mark the place one leaves or departs from.

Common notes

• A sentence typically has only one を per verb. If you need to express multiple objects, the sentence is usually restructured.
• Do not confuse を with は or が. While は can replace を when making the object the topic (
  このほん本はよみました読みました。

  This book, I have read it.
  ), を itself purely marks the grammatical object.

Omission in casual speech

In casual conversation, を is often dropped when the object is clear from context.