When learning Japanese, many learners get confused about how to build natural, correct sentences. Unlike English, Japanese relies heavily on particles (助詞) and follows a different word order structure. In this post, we’ll explore how Japanese word order works, provide clear examples, share some tricks, and give you useful tips for your studies.
Basic Japanese Sentence Structure
The most important rule you must remember is:
The verb always comes at the end of the sentence.
Here’s the basic word order:
[Topic] + [Time] + [Place] + [Method] + [Object] + Verb
- Topic (Subject): who or what the sentence is about (marked by は)
- Time: when the action happens
- Place: where the action happens (marked by に or で)
- Method: how or by what means (marked by で)
- Object: what is affected by the action (marked by を)
- Verb: the action
Example 1:
私は 明日 学校に バスで 日本語を 勉強します。
(Watashi wa ashita gakkou ni basu de nihongo o benkyou shimasu.)
“I will study Japanese at school tomorrow by bus.”
Let’s break down the sentence piece by piece so you fully understand how every part works:
| Japanese | Romaji | Role in sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 私 | watashi | Subject / Topic | I (the speaker) |
| は | wa | Topic particle | Marks “watashi” as the topic |
| 明日 | ashita | Time | Tomorrow |
| 学校に | gakkou ni | Place (destination marker に) | At school (indicating location) |
| バスで | basu de | Method (means of transport, particle で) | By bus |
| 日本語を | nihongo o | Object (particle を) | Japanese (language) |
| 勉強します | benkyou shimasu | Verb (polite present/future) | Will study |
Example 2
彼は 昨日 図書館で 静かに 本を 読みました。
Kare wa kinou toshokan de shizuka ni hon o yomimashita.
👉 “He read a book quietly at the library yesterday.”
Example 3
友達は 来週 空港で タクシーで 先生を 迎えます。
Tomodachi wa raishuu kuukou de takushii de sensei o mukaemasu.
👉 “My friend will pick up the teacher at the airport next week by taxi.”
Example 4
私は 毎朝 公園で ジョギングを します。
Watashi wa maiasa kouen de jogingu o shimasu.
👉 “I jog in the park every morning.”
Quick Trick to Remember Word Order
You can memorize this simple pattern:
Who – When – Where – How – What – Action
Or even shorter:
“Topic – Time – Place – Method – Object – Verb”
Every time you try to build a sentence, ask yourself these questions:
- Who is doing it? (Topic)
- When? (Time)
- Where? (Place)
- How? (Method)
- What? (Object)
- What is happening? (Verb)
Bonus Tip: Pay Attention to Particles
Particles are the glue that holds the sentence together:
| Particle | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| は | Topic | わたしは |
| を | Direct object | 日本語を |
| に | Destination / Time | 学校に |
| で | Location of action / Method | バスで |
Practice Exercise
Try building a sentence using the template:
[I] + [Tonight] + [At the restaurant] + [By car] + [Sushi] + [Eat]
Solution:
私は 今晩 レストランで 車で 寿司を 食べます。
(Watashi wa konban resutoran de kuruma de sushi o tabemasu.)
“I will eat sushi at the restaurant tonight by car.”
Final Thoughts
Japanese word order might seem tricky at first, but once you understand the pattern and use particles correctly, building sentences becomes much more natural. Practice making sentences with different elements, and soon you’ll be speaking more fluently.
Now , we can make the sentence easier right ?
Something I saw from internet, people do shorted sentence a lot, example :
Full version (with WHO)
私は 明日 学校に 行きます。
Watashi wa ashita gakkou ni ikimasu.
👉 “I will go to school tomorrow.”
Natural version (without WHO)
明日 学校に 行きます。
Ashita gakkou ni ikimasu.
👉 “(I) will go to school tomorrow.”
✅ Still perfectly clear, especially if you’re talking about yourself.
Summary Cheat Sheet
| English Thinking | Japanese Thinking |
|---|---|
| Always say who | Say who only if needed |
| Word order = meaning | Particles = meaning |
| Repeat subjects | Omit subjects |
| Verb anywhere | Verb last |
| Direct | Indirect |
