JLPT N5 Grammar: SOV Word Order Basics

Before diving into Japanese grammar, let’s first clarify its fundamental sentence structure. Japanese uses Subject–Object–Verb (SOV) word order, differing from English’s Subject–Verb–Object (SVO). If you are wondering, yes, Japanese is a bit like talking like Yoda from Star Wars. The verb always appears at the end, with particles marking each part clearly.

Explanation

SOV structure follows: Subject (who acts, marked by は or が) + Object (what receives the action, marked by を) + Verb (action, in ます-form for politeness). Particles ensure roles are clear, even if order shifts slightly. For N5, master simple sentences in present tense, omitting subjects when context is obvious. If this sounds like a lot, no worries, we will cover these particles and verb forms in detail in upcoming lessons.

Examples

  • わたしは ねこを みます。 Watashi wa neko wo mimasu.
    I see a cat.
  • ともだちが ほんを よみます。Tomodachi ga hon wo yomimasu.
    My friend reads a book.
  • あなたは ごはんを たべますか？Anata wa gohan wo tabemasu ka?
    Do you eat rice?

Exercises

Word Order Practice: Arrange the three parts (Subject / Object / Verb) into correct SOV order.

  1. (tabemasu / watashi wa/ sushi wo) → ____________________
    / (たべます / わたしは / すしを) → _____________________
    (I eat sushi.)
  2. (yomimasu / hon wo / gakusei wa) → _____________________
    / (よみます / ほんを / がくせいは) → ___________________
    (The student reads a book.)
  3. (nomimasu / tomodachi wa/ mizu wo) → _________________
    / (のみます / ともだちは / みずを) → ____________________
    (My friend drinks water.)
  4. (senseiwa / kakimasu/ tegami wo) → _____________________
    / (せんせいは / かきます / てがみを) → _________________
    (The teacher writes a letter.)
  5. (terebi/ kodomo wa /miru ) → _________________________
    / (テレビを / こどもは / みます) → ______________________
    (The child watches TV.)

New words

RomajiHiraganaKanjiMeaning
watashiわたし私I
anataあなた*you
senseiせんせい先生teacher
ishaいしゃ医者doctor
ieいえ家house
umiうみ海sea
utaうた歌song
tomodachiともだち友達friend
honほん本book
teて手hand

* Kanji form not commonly used

Translation Practice:

  • “The student studies Japanese.” (Gakusei …)
  • “We eat ramen.” (Watashitachi …)

Writing Task: Write three daily routine sentences in romaji using SOV order.

Answers:

  1. wa / o (Watashi wa mizu o nomimasu.)
  2. ga / o (Inu ga booru o kamimasu.)
  3. ga / o (Sensei ga jisho o wakarimasu ka?)

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