wo

English translation: A little marker that underscores the word after it is object word of the action.

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

Japanese term or phrase:	wo
English translation:	A little marker that underscores the word after it is object word of the action.
Entered by:	humbird

16:51 Oct 12, 2005

Japanese to English translations [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

Japanese term or phrase: wo

As a beginner, I'm confused when I hear "wo" used in Japanese. I know it's a part of speech, and it seems to be used in a way similar to "wa," to indicate the subject, but I'm not sure if there is a distinction between the two. Any help would be appreciated.

Corina

を and は

Explanation:
Your question is not Japanese to English translation as jsl pointed out. However, because your question is about Japanese that you asked in English, it may have some relevancy.
So here's my explanation to you about the difference.

を(wo) is a little marker signifies the word that comes right before is the object word.
So when you say:
Watashi wa eigo no hon wo yomemasu (I can read English books).
The "eigo no hon" or "English books" is (are) the object of your action (read).
Subject in this sentence is watashi. That is why the subject takes は(wa), not を(wo). It is always this way.

Now please think about next sentence:
"Anata wa shitsumon wo shita" and translate it into English or your own language.

Action words in both examples are called "transitive verbs" in English. Those take object words.
Opposite of transitive verb is intransitive verbs. For example:
Kare ha "itai" to sakenda (He shouted "ouch!").
In this case "sakenda" is intransitive verb. That is why it does not have を, only は.

You said wo and wa is similar. They are not, for the reason I explained above. Do not confuse these two, or you never understnd anything.

Hope this helps.

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Note added at 12 hrs 29 mins (2005-10-13 05:21:22 GMT)
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Correction ---
を(wo) is a little marker signifies the word that comes right before --
Please replace "before" with "after".

Selected response from:

humbird

Grading comment

Thank you for answering this question, even though it wasn't exactly a translation. I appreciate the clear examples you used to explain the difference between "wa" and "wo."
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

5 +1

を and は

humbird

See explanation

MICHIRU YABU

Discussion entries: 1

Answers

11 hrs confidence:

See explanation

Explanation:
"wa" is used to define something placed in front of "wa".
　りんごはあかい(赤い)。-　Apple is red.(defining "Apple" as red.)
"wo" is more of like receiver, the word placed after "wo" receives words placed in front of "wo".
りんごをたべます。-　I eat an apple.(eat receives "Apple".)

It is quite difficult to explane.
"wa" or "wo" are used in many situations.
Anyway, I hope it helps you understand a little bit.

To JSL who told the asker to ask in discussion forum instead in KudoZ,
This question may not appear as translation question, but I think it is not. It may not be some kind of difficult terms or words, but it is the basic and important to understand for translating. most of all, it is a matter of your kindness to help others wherever asked.

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Note added at 11 hrs 18 mins (2005-10-13 04:09:38 GMT)
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To JSL who told the asker to ask in discussion forum instead in KudoZ,

I meant;
This question may not appear as translation question, but I think it is.

somehow typed wrong.

MICHIRU YABU
Japan
Local time: 20:14
Works in field
Native speaker of:

Japanese

12 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

を and は

humbird
Native speaker of:

Japanese,

English
PRO pts in category: 40

Grading comment

Thank you for answering this question, even though it wasn't exactly a translation. I appreciate the clear examples you used to explain the difference between "wa" and "wo."

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wo

English translation: A little marker that underscores the word after it is object word of the action.

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English translation: A little marker that underscores the word after it is object word of the action.

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