Objects of Japanese Verbs with Particles: を, に, and と

Last time, you learned how to make subjects of Japanese verbs with the particles が and は: 雨あめが降ふる (new information) and 雪ゆきは降ふらない (contrast). In this lesson, you will learn how to make objects of Japanese verbs by using the particles: を, に, and と.

How to Set Objects with the Particle を, に, and と

Unlike intransitive verbs like “走はしる: to run” and “歩あるく: to walk,” transitive verbs like “食たべる: to eat” and “飲のむ: to drink” have to have objects. When you make objects of Japanese verbs, you need to select a suitable particle among from を, に, and, と. Each function is different. Let’s go over them one by one. 

What Is a Complete Sentence Like?

As you already know, sentences without subjects are very common in Japanese. In addition to that, objects can be omitted when the context is clear. Take a look at the following examples.

These are very natural expressions in Japanese. Now, do you remember how to conjugate them? Let’s make them the negative form as a review.

Particles Will Be Determined Based on What the Objects Are

In English, with the sentences: “I will eat apple” and “I will meet my mother,” “apple” and “mother” can be just categorized into objects. However, you cannot use the same particle for those objects in Japanese. Let’s break down objects in Japanese grammar.

The Particle を

を is pronounced as お and placed after objects. In Japanese, the sentence order should be like this: Topic + Subject + Object + Verb. Although omissions may cause confusion, the basic order will remain the same.

Direct Object

The first function of を is to express direct objects. This usage is very simple. Here are more examples.

Location to Leave

The second function is to express where you leave. The locations can be not only actual locations, but also organizations as well. Some intransitive verbs can appear with を in this context, which you will learn in another lesson.

Location to Pass

The third function is to express where you pass through. The is applicable not only actual locations, but also situations of locations and time as well.

Direction of Action

The last function is to express the direction of actions. を can be directly attached with words which mean directions itself like “北きた: north” and “下した: below.” If you would like to say “direction of …”, you need to put …の方ほう as the following examples show.

The Particle に

に has a lot of functions. Here, we will show you only the ones related to verbs. You will learn the rest in other lessons.

Direction of Motion

The first function is to express the direction of motions. Just like the particle に, when you use words which don’t directly mean directions, you need to use …の方ほう as well.

This may sound similar to the particle を (the direction of actions). The difference is in whether you will physically move or not. That is to say, when you use を (the direction of actions), your body, i.e. your feet, won't move. When you use に (the direction of motions) , your body, i.e. your feet, will move.

In this context, に is interchangeable with the particle へ. Note: when へ is used as a particle, you have to pronounce it as え.

Destination

The second function is to express destinations. In this context, に is interchangeable with the particle へ, too.

Target (Indirect Objects)

The third function is to indicate targets (indirect objects). This is mostly used when you give or do something for someone. Regarding the sentence order, the を part and the に part can be replaced.

The difficult point here is how to identify the proper particle between direct objects and targets (indirect objects), especially when there is only one object. Take a look at the following.

Some say that you need to judge it based on whether objects are direct or indirect. However, that border is not completely defined. Thus, you need to memorize the combinations with verbs respectively.

The Particle と

This is the last particle which you need to learn in the verb section. Take it easy. The usage is very simple.

Partner of Interaction

The first function is to express partners of interaction. Some verbs can be used with both the particle に expressing targets and the particle と. The difference of the nuance will be whether it is interactive or one-sided actions like this:

Here are more examples. They require the particle と because “to marry” and “to quarrel” must be interactive actions.

The particle と can be also used to express just partners.

Object of Similarity / Difference

Another function is to indicate an object’s similarities or differences.This can be used with adjectives as well. In the following example, 同じ is an adjective, but can have an object.

Summary

1. The particle を can express;
   • Direct Object
   • Location to Leave
   • Location to Pass
   • Direction of Action
2. The particle に can express;
   • Direction of Motion
   • Destination
   • Target (Indirect Object)
3. The particle と can express;
   • Partner of Interaction
   • Object of Similarity or Difference

In this article, you have learned a lot about particles. You might get confused with the usages. Don’t worry. You have already completed 50% of the Japanese particles and, as you proceed with your learning, you will clear up any doubts you may have. From now on, you will learn the rest of the Japanese particles.