N5Chapter 04

Pronouns & Particle も

Learning Objectives

  • Learn Japanese personal pronouns and when to use them.
  • Master demonstrative pronouns (Ko-So-A-Do system).
  • Use the particle も (mo) to express 'also' or 'too'.
  • Understand the use of Japanese honorifics like -san, -kun, and -chan.
N5 Context

In Japanese, we often avoid using “I” or “You” once the context is established. However, knowing when and how to use pronouns is essential for clear communication. In this chapter, we will also learn the Ko-So-A-Do system for pointing at objects and the particle も, which allows you to add information to your sentences.

1. Personal Pronouns

While English uses pronouns constantly, Japanese often omits them if it is obvious who is speaking.

Vocabulary5 terms

  • わたし

    Pronoun

    watashi

    I / Me (Standard)

  • あなた

    Pronoun

    anata

    You (Use sparingly)

  • かれ

    Pronoun

    kare

    He / Boyfriend

  • かのじょ

    Pronoun

    kanojo

    She / Girlfriend

  • わたしたち

    Pronoun

    watashitachi

    We

[!TIP] Instead of saying “You” (anata), it is much more polite and common in Japan to refer to someone by their Name + Honorific (e.g., Tanaka-san).

Example

わたし は 日本語 の 学生 です。

Watashi wa Nihongo no gakusei desu.

I am a student of the Japanese language.
Example

かれ は わたしたち の 先生 です。

Kare wa watashitachi no sensei desu.

He is our teacher.
Example

あなた は 日本人 です か。

Anata wa Nihonjin desu ka.

Are you Japanese?

2. Demonstrative Pronouns (Ko-So-A-Do)

Japanese uses a systematic way to point at things based on their distance from the speaker and listener.

  • これ (Kore): This (Near the speaker)
  • それ (Sore): That (Near the listener)
  • あれ (Are): That over there (Far from both)
  • どれ (Dore): Which one? (Question)
Grammar Point
これ / それ / あれ ＋ は ＋ [Noun] ＋ です
MeaningIdentifying objects based on distance.
Formation:
Pronoun + は + Noun + です
Examples (3)
Example

これ は わたし の 本 です。

Kore wa watashi no hon desu.

This is my book.

Example

それ は なん です か。

Sore wa nan desu ka.

What is that (near you)?

Example

あれ は 先生 の 車 です。

Are wa sensei no kuruma desu.

That over there is the teacher's car.

3. The “Also” Particle: も (mo)

The particle も (mo) means “also” or “too”. It is unique because it replaces the particles は (wa), が (ga), and を (o).

Grammar Point
[Noun] ＋ も
MeaningExpresses 'also' or 'too'.
Formation:
Noun + も (Replaces は, が, を)
Examples (3)
Example

わたし は 学生 です。 アリさん も 学生 です。

Watashi wa gakusei desu. Ari-san mo gakusei desu.

I am a student. Ali is ALSO a student.

Example

これ は ペン です。 それ も ペン です。

Kore wa pen desu. Sore mo pen desu.

This is a pen. That is also a pen.

Example

りんご を たべます。 バナナ も たべます。

Ringo o tabemasu. Banana mo tabemasu.

I eat apples. I also eat bananas.

4. Cultural Note: Japanese Names & Honorifics

In Japan, you rarely call someone by their first name unless you are very close. Usually, you use their Family Name + Honorific.

  • -san (さん): The most common honorific, equivalent to Mr., Ms., or Mrs. Use it for almost everyone.
  • -kun (君): Typically used for boys or by superiors to subordinates.
  • -chan (ちゃん): A cute honorific used for children, female friends, or pets.
  • -sama (様): Extremely formal, used for customers or deities.

Never use an honorific on your own name! It sounds very arrogant.

Practical Conversations

In the Classroom
Anna

すみません、それ は あなた の 本 です か。

Sumimasen, sore wa anata no hon desu ka.

Excuse me, is that your book?

Tanaka

はい、これ は わたし の 本 です。

Hai, kore wa watashi no hon desu.

Yes, this is my book.

Anna

これ も あなた の です か。

Kore mo anata no desu ka.

Is this (one) also yours?

Tanaka

いいえ、それ は わたし の ではありません。 あれ は たなかさん の です。

Iie, sore wa watashi no dewa arimasen. Are wa Tanaka-san no desu.

No, that is not mine. That one over there is Mr. Tanaka's.
Introducing Friends
Sato

はじめまして。 さとう です。

Hajimemashite. Satou desu.

Nice to meet you. I am Sato.

Ken

はじめまして。 けん です。 かのじょ は アンナさん です。

Hajimemashite. Ken desu. Kanojo wa Anna-san desu.

Nice to meet you. I am Ken. She is Anna.

Sato

アンナさん も 学生 です か。

Anna-san mo gakusei desu ka.

Is Anna also a student?

Ken

はい、わたしたち は 学生 です。

Hai, watashitachi wa gakusei desu.

Yes, we are students.

Chapter Summary

Key Takeaways
  • 1Personal pronouns like わたし (I) are used, but often omitted when context is clear.
  • 2Use 'Family Name + さん' instead of 'You' (anata) to be polite.
  • 3The Ko-So-A-Do system (これ, それ, あれ) helps identify objects based on distance.
  • 4The particle も (mo) means 'also' or 'too' and replaces は, が, and を.
  • 5Never use honorifics like -san on your own name.

Knowledge Check

Test your understanding of pronouns and the particle も!

Practice Quiz
🧩

Quiz

1 / 15

Which pronoun is the most standard way to say 'I' or 'Me'?