# を (wo): the direct object particle

> How を marks the object of a transitive verb, why it's written を but pronounced "o", and its lesser-known use with motion verbs.

- Page: https://www.darumoji.com/en/guide/japanese-particle-wo
- Content written by Darumoji: https://www.darumoji.com
- Published 2026-05-10

を is the most stable of the five particles: **a transitive verb, an object, a を**. But its pronunciation and a secondary use with motion verbs deserve a look.

**を (o (in practice))**: Marks the direct object of a transitive verb

## The second pronunciation trap

It's written `を` but pronounced **"o"** in everyday Japanese. The initial `w` has all but vanished, except in singing or slow reading. It's the second of three particles with a special pronunciation, after `は` (read "wa") and before `へ` (read "e" when it marks direction).

## Base use: direct object

If a verb can take an object (transitive), that object is marked with `を`. **Ultra-stable rule, no exception in N5.**

> 本を読む。
>
> ほん o よむ。
>
> Read a book.

`本` (ほん, book) is the object of `読む` (よむ, read). Marked by `を`.

> コーヒーを飲む。
>
> コーヒー o のむ。
>
> Drink coffee.

> 音楽を聞く。
>
> おんがく o きく。
>
> Listen to music.

## The lesser-known use: crossing space

With **motion verbs** like `散歩する` (さんぽする, take a walk), `渡る` (わたる, cross), `歩く` (あるく, walk) or `飛ぶ` (とぶ, fly), `を` no longer marks an object but the **space traversed** by the motion. Subtle but common.

> 公園を散歩する。
>
> こうえん o さんぽ する。
>
> Take a walk through the park.

The park is what one **passes through** while walking, not an object being "walked".

> 橋を渡る。
>
> はし o わたる。
>
> Cross the bridge.

> **Remember** **を is pronounced "o"**. Marks the object of a transitive verb (hard rule), or the space traversed with a motion verb.

---

## に (ni): the most versatile of the five, four must-know uses.

- [Continue with に](https://www.darumoji.com/en/guide/japanese-particle-ni)