JapaneseWord Order
Japanese Subject-Object-Verb Word Order
SOV Word Order
Japanese sentences strictly end with the verb, following the Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order.
The standard Japanese word order is Subject-Object-Verb (SOV). The most critical rule is that the verb must always go at the very end of the clause. Since grammatical roles are defined by particles rather than word order, the subject and object can swap places occasionally, but the verb remains locked at the end.
Examples
わたしはほんをよみます。 (Watashi wa hon o yomimasu.)
I read a book.
かれはみずをのみました。 (Kare wa mizu o nomimashita.)
He drank water.
ねкоがねずみをたべた。 (Neko ga nezumi o tabeta.)
The cat ate the mouse.
Related terms
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