Learning how to say also in Japanese is one of the first hurdles beginners face that reveals just how context-dependent the language truly is. This leads to unlike English, where "also," "too," and "as well" are largely interchangeable, Japanese requires you to choose specific particles or adverbs based on sentence structure, formality level, and exactly what you are trying to point out. Mastering these distinctions—primarily mo (も), mata (また), sore ni (それに), and demo (でも)—allows you to move from robotic textbook sentences to natural, nuanced conversation.
The Core Particle: Mo (も)
The most fundamental way to express "also" or "too" is the particle mo (も). It functions by replacing the topic marker wa (は) or the subject marker ga (が), and it can follow other particles like ni (に), de (で), or to (と) to indicate "also" in relation to a location, companion, or means.
The golden rule for mo is placement: it attaches directly to the word it modifies.
Basic Sentence Patterns
1. Replacing Wa (Topic) — "I also..." / "X is also..."
Watashi mo ikimasu. (私も行きます。) I also go. / I go too.
2. Replacing Ga (Subject) — "There is also..." / "X also exists"
Ringo mo arimasu. (リンゴもあります。) There are apples too. / We also have apples.
3. Attaching to Ni (Location/Time) — "At X also" / "On X also"
Tokyo ni mo sumimashita. (東京にも住みました。) I lived in Tokyo as well.
4. Attaching to To (With) — "With X also"
Tanaka-san to mo asobimashita. (田中さんとも遊びました。) I played with Tanaka-san, too.
The "Not Also" Construction: Mo... Nai
A critical grammar point for beginners is combining mo with the negative form to mean "neither" or "not... either." In English, we switch from "also" to "neither" in negative sentences. In Japanese, mo stays exactly where it is; only the verb changes to negative.
Watashi mo ikimasen. (私も行きません。) I won't go either. (Not: "I also don't go" — though logically similar, the natural translation is "either/neither.
Nihongo mo wakarimasen. (日本語もわかりません。) I don't understand Japanese either.
Adverbial "Also": Mata (また) and Sore ni (それに)
While mo is a particle glued to a noun, mata (また) and sore ni (それに) are adverbs (or conjunctions) that sit at the beginning of a sentence or clause. Now, they translate closer to "furthermore," "in addition," "besides," or "moreover. " They add new information to the previous statement rather than marking a specific noun as "also.
People argue about this. Here's where I land on it.
Mata (また) — "Again," "And," "Also"
Mata is highly versatile. It implies an addition to a list or a repetition of an action.
**Kinou wa ame deshita. ** (昨日は雨でした。また、風も強かった。) *It rained yesterday. Mata, kaze mo tsuyokatta.Furthermore, the wind was strong, too Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
**Kore o kudasai. Mata, are mo onegaishimasu.And ** (これをください。また、あれもお願いします。) *I’ll take this. And also, I’d like that one, please Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
Note how mata introduces a new sentence, whereas mo in the second sentence (are mo) marks the object "that one" as an addition to "this one."
Sore ni (それに) — "Besides," "On Top Of That"
Sore ni (literally "to that") carries a stronger nuance of adding a reason, a benefit, or a significant fact to support a previous point. It often translates to "besides" or "what's more."
**Kono resutoran wa oishii desu. Consider this: Sore ni, yasui desu. ** (このレストランは美味しいです。それに、安いです。) *This restaurant is delicious. Besides, it’s cheap.
**Jikan ga nai. On the flip side, Sore ni, okane mo nai. Worth adding: ** (時間がない。それに、お金もない。) *I have no time. On top of that, I have no money either.
The Contrastive "Also": Demo (でも) and Shikamo (しかも)
Sometimes "also" implies a contrast or an unexpected addition. Think about it: english uses "but also" or "even. " Japanese handles this with specific conjunctions Turns out it matters..
Demo (でも) — "But Also" / "Even"
Used at the start of a sentence to mean "Still," "But," or "Even.Also, " When combined with mo (demo... mo), it creates "even if/though" structures, but standalone demo adds a contrasting fact That's the part that actually makes a difference. Nothing fancy..
Takai desu. Demo, ii desu. (高いです。でも、いいです。) *It's expensive. And But it's good. * (Implies: Expensive, but also good.
Shikamo (しかも) — "And What's More" / "Moreover" (Surprising)
Shikamo adds a second fact that intensifies the first, often with a nuance of surprise or significance. It translates well to "and what's more," "furthermore," or "besides."
**Kare wa tensai da. In practice, Shikamo, doryoku-ka da. ** (彼は天才だ。しかも、努力家だ。) *He is a genius. And what's more, he is a hard worker The details matter here. Which is the point..
"Also" in Casual Speech: Datte (だって) and Temo (ても)
Textbook Japanese often ignores how people actually talk. In casual conversation, "also" takes on different forms.
Datte (だって) — "Because / After All / Also"
At the start of a sentence, datte often means "But..." or "Because..." Even so, in casual listing, it can function like "Also, [reason].
**A: "Naze iku no?) B: "Datte, tomodachi mo iku mon." (だって、友達も行くもん。) (Because) my friends are going too." (Why go? / *Also, my friends are going.
Temo (ても) / Demo (Noun + でも) — "Even If" / "Or Something"
Attaching mo to the te-form of a verb (temo) or a noun (demo) creates "even if" or "also/or something."
Nani demo tabemasu. (何でも食べます。) *I eat anything
Ya (や) — The Casual "And" for Listing
In casual speech, the particle ya is used to list items, functioning similarly to to but with a more conversational and often less exhaustive feel. It can be translated as "and," implying "and other things like it" or "also."
Kore ya, sore ya, ikimasu. (これや、それや、行きます。) I'll go with this and that. / *Also this, also that, I'll take Worth keeping that in mind. Worth knowing..
This form is very common in Kansai dialect but is understood and used throughout Japan for a quick, informal list.
Summary: Choosing the Right "Also"
Let's talk about the Japanese language provides a rich palette of words for "also," each with a distinct flavor. Here is a quick guide:
- Simple Addition: Use mo for adding nouns or simple facts.
- Formal/Logical Addition: Use mata or sore ni for adding sentences in a more structured way.
- Contrasting Addition: Use demo for "but also" or shikamo for a surprising "and what's more."
- Casual/Conversational: Use datte for a reason-based "also," temo/demo for "or something/anything," and ya for informal listing.
Understanding these nuances is key to moving beyond textbook Japanese and grasping the true meaning and tone of conversations. Which means the choice of word isn't just grammatical; it's a reflection of the speaker's relationship to the information and their listener. By paying attention to these subtle differences, you can communicate with greater precision and naturalness.
Some disagree here. Fair enough.
