How to Use the Japanese Particle “も” | Learn How to Say “Also” and “Too” in Japanese

level1 (N5)
Particle “も”
Source: gokigen japanese official YouTube Channel

Introduction

If you want to say things like “Me too,” “I’ll go as well,” or “She also studies Japanese,”
you’ll need one of the most common and friendly Japanese particles: も!

In this article, you’ll learn:
✔ What the particle も means and how it works
✔ How to use も in real Japanese sentences
✔ What particles it can replace — and what it can’t
✔ Common mistakes and a helpful FAQ

Let’s learn how to include yourself (and others) in the action!


1. What Does the Particle “も” Mean?

The particle も is used to express the idea of:
“also,” “too,” or “as well”

It shows that something is in addition to what was said earlier.

EnglishJapanese
I’m originally from Tokyo.
Mr. Yamada is also originally from Tokyo.
私わたしの出身しゅっしんは東京とうきょうです。
山田やまださんの出身しゅっしんも東京とうきょうです。
I study Japanese.
My friend also studies Japanese.
私わたしは日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうします。
友ともだちも勉強べんきょうします。
I didn’t go to school on Monday.
I didn’t go to school on Tuesday either.
私わたしは月曜日げつようびに学校がっこうに行いきませんでした。
火曜日かようびにも学校がっこうに行いきませんでした。

Understanding grammar is one thing. Using it naturally is another.
Practice this expression with a native Japanese tutor.

Practice with a tutor →

2. Basic Sentence Structure with も

Pattern: [Noun] + も + [verb]

EnglishJapaneseRomaji
I eat lunch.
My friend eats lunch too.
私わたしは昼ひるご飯はんを食たべます。
友ともだちも昼ひるご飯はんを食たべます。
watashi wa hirugohan o tabemasu. tomodachi mo hirugohan o tabemasu.

Tip: も replaces particles は, が, and を.


3. Examples in Real-Life Context

明日あした、映画えいがを見みます。佐藤先生さとうせんせいも映画えいがを見みます。
I’ll see a movie tomorrow. Professor Sato will see a movie too.


えみさんは靴くつを買かいます。かばんも買かいます。
Emi will buy shoes. She’ll buy a bag too.


私わたしは大学だいがくに行いきます。友ともだちも大学だいがくに行いきます。
I’m going to university. My friend is also going.


カフェでハンバーガーを食たべます。アイスクリームも食たべます。
I eat a hamburger at a cafe. I eat ice cream too.


4. How “も” Interacts with Other Particles

も replaces:

  • は (topic marker)
  • が (subject marker)
  • を (object marker)

も follows:

  • に → にも
  • で → でも
SentenceMeaning
学校がっこうに行いきます。会社かいしゃにも行いきます。I go to school. I also go to the office.
学校がっこうで勉強べんきょうします。家いえでも勉強べんきょうします。I study at school. I study at home too.

5. Fun Example from Manga

From Attack on Titan (進撃しんげきの巨人きょじん):

我々われわれは…今回こんかいも…なんの成果せいかも得えられませんでした!
(We… once again… achieved nothing!)

This use of も expresses a repeat of failure — even in serious scenes, も is powerful.


6. Practice Time: Rewrite with も

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate sentences.

QuestionEnglishExample Answer
たなかさんは学生がくせいです。
やまださん_____。
Tanaka is a student.
Yamada is also a student.
たなかさんは学生がくせいです。
やまださんも学生です。
水みずを飲のみます。
お茶ちゃ____。
I drink water.
I also drink tea.
水みずを飲のみます。
お茶ちゃも飲みます。
ジョンは二時にじごろ来きます。
ケビン________。
John comes around 2 o’clock.
Kevin also comes around 2 o’clock.
ジョンは二時にじごろ来きます。
ケビンも二時ごろ来ます。
私わたしは月曜日げつようびに学校がっこうに行いきませんでした。
火曜日かようび_______。
I didn’t go to school on Monday.
I didn’t go to school on Tuesday either.
私わたしは月曜日げつようびに学校がっこうに行いきませんでした。
火曜日かようびにも学校に行きませんでした。
図書館としょかんで勉強べんきょうします。
家いえ________。
I study at the library.
I also study at home.
図書館としょかんで勉強べんきょうします。
家いえでも勉強します。

7. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Q
Can も be used with particles like に or で?
A

Yes! も follows them:

  • に → にも
  • で → でも
Q
Can も replace を or は?
A

Yes, when you’re saying “also” in the subject or object position:

  • パンを食たべます → ごはんも食べます。
  • トムは行いきます → ケンも行きます。
Q
Can I use more than one も in the same sentence?
A

Yes! For example:
エリックもミカも来きます。
(Eric and Mika are both coming.)

Q
What’s the difference between も and と?
A
  • も = “also,” used for adding another subject or object
  • と = “and,” used for listing items
    Example:
    • パンとチーズを食たべます。 → I eat bread and cheese.
    • パンを食べます。チーズも食べます。 → I eat bread. I also eat cheese.

8. Conclusion: Include More with も!

Now you can say “me too,” “you too,” or “that as well” with confidence using the particle も.
It’s a small word, but it makes your Japanese sound a lot more natural — and friendly!

🎯 Your next step: Try saying or writing 3 sentences using も today

Ready to start speaking Japanese?
Try a gokigen japanese lesson and practise with a friendly native tutor.

Book a trial lesson $5

Online 1on1 · ~50min · First lesson only $5

  • gokigen japanese

    gokigen japanese is an online Japanese tutoring service launched in 2023. Flexible, interactive, and culture-rich, gokigen japanese supports learners at all levels with bilingual Japanese tutors.
    Over 1,000 students from 30+ countries have used our 300+ original materials, including grammar guides and cultural content.

    gokigen japanese was founded by Hirofumi Naramura, a Kyoto University graduate and former Project Leader at the Boston Consulting Group (2010–2020). The service has received recognition such as the Chiyoda CULTURE x TECH Award 2024 and acceptance into NEXs Tokyo, a startup program by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

  • Reviewer:

    Japanese native and language educator with about 10 years of experience teaching and developing courses and materials.
    She studied and taught in 5 different countries. Her most recent teaching role was at University of Pennsylvania in the U.S.
    Other than teaching all levels of Japanese in various settings from personal tutoring to college courses, she also has experience writing articles about Japanese language and culture and teaching English.
    Education: M.A. in Japanese pedagogy, Purdue University. B.A from the school of Japanese language and culture, Tsukuba University.