Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Adding another person or thing
The particle も adds one more person or thing to the same statement. In many beginner sentences, it replaces the particle you might expect from the first sentence.
Target signal
わたしは学生です。姉も学生です。
I am a student. My older sister is also a student.
The second sentence adds another person with the same information.
Vocabulary notes
- わたし
- I; me
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- 学生
- student
Compare in context
今日は雨です。明日も雨です。
Today is rainy. Tomorrow is rainy too.
も can also add another time or situation.
Vocabulary notes
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- 今日
- today
- 明日
- tomorrow
Compare in context
父も来ます。
My father is coming too.
The speaker adds another person who will come.
Vocabulary notes
- 来ます
- come (polite)
- ます
- polite verb ending
- も
- also; too
Section 2 of 3
With objects and short lists
も can mark objects and can repeat across a short list. When you see AもBも, read it as “both A and B” or “A and B too,” depending on the sentence.
Target signal
コーヒーも飲みます。
I drink coffee too.
Here も replaces the object marker を.
Vocabulary notes
- コーヒー
- coffee
- 飲みます
- drink
- ます
- polite verb ending
Preview
パンも卵も買いました。
I bought bread and eggs too.
Repeated も makes both items part of the same action.
Vocabulary notes
- いました
- there was; there were (living things)
- いま
- now
- した
- did
Preview
日本語も漢字も勉強します。
I study Japanese and kanji too.
This pattern often appears when talking about school subjects.
Vocabulary notes
- 勉強します
- study
- します
- do
- 日本語
- Japanese language
Section 3 of 3
Reading repeated も smoothly
When も appears several times, do not stop at each one. Group the repeated pattern together first, then read the rest of the sentence.
Target signal
父も母も早く起きます。
Both my father and mother get up early.
父も母も means “both my father and my mother.”
Vocabulary notes
- ます
- polite verb ending
- 早く
- early; quickly
- も
- also; too
Preview
この店もあの店も静かです。
This shop and that shop are both quiet.
This sentence compares two places by adding both of them to the same description.
Vocabulary notes
- あの
- that; that over there
- この
- this
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Preview
今日も図書館へ行きます。
I am going to the library today too.
A time word with も means “today also” or “again today,” depending on context.
Vocabulary notes
- 行きます
- go
- 図書館
- library
- ます
- polite verb ending