Search pages and navigate
Also / too
Definition
The grammar pattern 〜も is used to add an item to an existing set, conveying the meaning of 'also' or 'too.' This pattern is often used to express that something is true for multiple people or things. It can replace the particles は, が, or を, but it cannot be stacked with them. For example, instead of saying '私は学生です' (I am a student) and then '私はも学生です' (which is incorrect), you would say '私は学生です。山田さんも学生です' (I am a student. Yamada is also a student).
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun or pronoun | Noun or pronoun + も | 私はも学生です |
| Noun phrase | Noun phrase + も | この本も読みました |
| Verb phrase | Verb phrase + も | 彼も来る |
Examples
田中さんは学生です。山田さんも学生です。
Tanaka-san wa gakusei desu. Yamada-san mo gakusei desu.
Tanaka is a student. Yamada is also a student.
Tanaka-san wa gakusei desu. (Tanaka is a student) Yamada-san mo gakusei desu. (Yamada is also a student)
肉も魚も好きです。
Niku mo sakana mo suki desu.
I like meat and fish too.
Niku mo (meat also) sakana mo (fish also) suki desu. (I like them)
ひらがなも読めます。
Hiragana mo yomenai desu.
I can also read hiragana.
Hiragana mo (hiragana also) yomenai desu. (I can read it)
Context
The grammar pattern 〜も is used to add an item to an existing set, conveying the meaning of 'also' or 'too.' It is often used to express that something is true for multiple people or things. It can replace the particles は, が, or を, but it cannot be stacked with them. This pattern is commonly used in casual conversation and is a key part of the Japanese language.
Watch out
This is incorrect because 'も' cannot be stacked with 'は'. Instead, use 'も' to add the item to the existing set.
This is incorrect because 'も' cannot be stacked with 'は'. Instead, use 'も' to add the item to the existing set.
This is incorrect because 'も' is not necessary in this sentence. Instead, use 'も' to add the item to the existing set.
Strategy
When using the grammar pattern 〜も on the JLPT, make sure to use it correctly to add an item to an existing set. Pay attention to the context of the sentence and use 'も' to convey the meaning of 'also' or 'too'.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 〜も used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
田中さんは学生です。山田さんも学生です。
Pattern used: も
も means 'also.' Since Tanaka is a student, Yamada is 'also' a student. も replaces は here.
肉も…も魚______好きです。
Pattern used: も…も
も…も means 'both...and...' — I like both meat and fish. It emphasizes that both apply.
ひらがなも読めます。
Pattern used: も
も implies addition — 'I can also read hiragana' (in addition to something else, like katakana). It replaces が here.
Interactive
田中さんは学生です。山田さん______学生です。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.