February 14, 2008

Mo, Larry, & Curly!

Mo is a little Japanese particle that goes a long way. By adding the syllable mo (inclusive particle) to interrogatives, verbs and nouns many types of useful phrases and words are formed. This ghetto grammar supplement will help you increase your Japanese vocabulary immensely. Have fun!

Question word + mo with + positive verb with – negative verb
dare + mo anyone nobody
nani +mo anything nothing
doko + mo everywhere, anywhere nowhere
itsu + mo all the time, always none of the time, never
nannin + mo many people, a bunch of people not many people

Question word +demo with + positive verb with – negative verb
dochi + demo whichever none of them
nani +demo anything nothing
doko + demo wherever nowhere
itsu + demo whenever none of the time, never
nannin + demo however many people not many people

Verb(base TE) + mo even though you verb, that’s ok + ii desu ka ?
Even though I verb, is it ok?

itte + mo Even though I go or may I go?
hanashite + mo Even though you speak, it’s ok or may I speak?
tabete + mo Even though I eat, it’s ok. May I eat?
itsu + mo all the time, always none of the time, never
nannin + mo many people, a bunch of people not many people


Noun + mo Noun + mo +?
noun + mo noun also, or noun too
John + mo John also, or John too

Dochi or which? If asked as a question The participle mo represents inclusiveness. The English equivalent being the words also or too. The mo particle does much more than it would seem at first glance. Mo might seem like just some young run of the mill uninspiring particle like ka, ga, wa, o, or no. However this very un-ordinary syllable has so many functions. MO contains enough info to fill at least one grammar book of information of information. discuss some uses via example.
Examples of 1

Ex. 1 daremo oran! – nobody is home!

Ex. 2 itsumo asobi ni itte imasu

Ex. 3 daremo nai – this is an awkward way of saying its nobody meaning really nobody its nobody at all.