Marking the topic with

Grammar: Particles

は marks the topic of a sentence, the person or thing that the comment is about. も marks something as also included in the same kind of statement.

Usage Notes

Japanese often uses a topic-comment structure. The topic marked by は sets the frame, and the rest of the sentence says something about that frame.

も works similarly in position, but instead of simply setting a topic, it adds the marked item to something already mentioned or understood: “also”, “too”, or “as well”.

Formation

View formation details
  1. Noun + は + comment
    • 私(わたし)は学生(がくせい)です
    • "as for me, I am a student"
  2. Time or place + は + comment
    • 今日(きょう)は寒(さむ)い
    • "as for today, it is cold"
  3. Noun + も + comment
    • 私(わたし)も行(い)きます
    • "as for me, I will go too"
  4. Particle phrase + は / も
    • 学校(がっこう)には行(い)った
    • "as for me, I did go to school"
Note: は is pronounced わ when used as a particle. Topic は can replace が or を, and it can attach after particles such as に, で, から, and まで. も often replaces は, が, or を, but follows other particles.

Topic and Comment

The particle は marks the topic, what the sentence is about. The rest of the sentence is the comment, what is being said about that topic.

  • 私(わたし)は東京(とうきょう)に住(す)んでいます。
  • As for me, I live in Tokyo.

  • この店(みせ)は静(しず)かだ。
  • As for this shop, it is quiet.

English often translates these without “as for”, but that phrase helps show the Japanese structure.

Example 1 of 5: In another world with 異世界
Example 1 of 5
Manga panel from キラキラとギラギラ showing example of In another world with 異世界.
キラキラとギラギラ » Volume 1 » Page 173

Zen lived in a glittering, idyllic town until his family moved. During his first day of school, he found everyone to be glaring and rugged. Rather than being gentle and playful, his classmates sought a brawl and chased after him.

禅(ぜん):
「ここは異世界(いせかい)だ」
“This is another world.”
「異世界(いせかい)に迷(まよ)い込(こ)んだに違(ちが)いない」
“I must have wandered into another world.”
View Full Example

Zen uses ここは to set “here” as the topic, then makes a comment identifying the place as another world with 異世界(いせかい)だ.

Example 2 of 5: Eating breakfast like a giant monster with 怪獣
Example 2 of 5
Manga panel from カードキャプターさくら showing example of Eating breakfast like a giant monster with 怪獣.
カードキャプターさくら » Volume 1 » Page 22

At breakfast, Touya teases Sakura for stomping down the stairs like a giant monster. He finishes eating and heads out on his bike to meet his friend Yukito on their way to school. Sakura hurries to eat her breakfast and get her roller blades on, so she can see Yukito, too. When they reach Yukito, he commends Sakura for being up early.

桃矢(とうや):
「怪獣(かいじゅう)は五分(ごふん)で朝飯(あさめし)食(く)えるからな」
“Well, monsters can finish breakfast in five minutes.”
View Full Example

Touya starts with 怪獣(かいじゅう)は to make the “monster” his topic, then makes the comment that it can finish breakfast in five minutes.

Example 3 of 5: A meal provided by the school with 給食
Example 3 of 5
Manga panel from あずまんが大王 showing example of A meal provided by the school with 給食.
あずまんが大王 » Volume 1年生 » Page 6

Chiyo is a child prodigy who’s skipped from elementary school to high school.

During her first day of class, Chiyo is invited by a couple of classmates to join them for lunch.

ちよ:
「小学校(しょうがっこう)は給食(きゅうしょく)だったからお弁当(べんとう)は楽(たの)しいです」
“Since we were provided lunches in elementary school, a boxed lunch is fun.”
View Full Example

On her first day of class, Chiyo joins two classmates for lunch. Her sentence has two topics, each with its own comment: 小学校(しょうがっこう)は給食(きゅうしょく)だった, “elementary school had school lunches”, and お弁当(べんとう)は楽(たの)しいです, “a boxed lunch is fun”. Putting the two side by side also hints at a contrast.

Example 4 of 5: Nothing out of the ordinary with 異常
Example 4 of 5
Manga panel from 三ツ星カラーズ showing example of Nothing out of the ordinary with 異常.
三ツ星カラーズ » Volume 7 » Page 73

Yui, Sacchan, and Kotoha go on an early-morning patrol to check for any issues in their neighborhood. Because it’s so early, none of the shops are open yet, and the streets are empty.

さっちゃん:
「朝(あさ)は平和(へいわ)だ」
“Morning is peaceful.”
結衣(ゆい):
「朝(あさ)は平和(へいわ)だね」
“Morning is peaceful, isn't it?”
琴葉(ことは):
「異常(いじょう)なし」
“No abnormalities.”
View Full Example

Yui, Sacchan, and Kotoha patrol the neighborhood at dawn, and the streets are empty. 朝(あさ)は平和(へいわ)だ, “mornings are peaceful”, is a bare topic and comment: 朝(あさ) is what they’re talking about, and 平和(へいわ)だ is what they say about it. Yui repeats it with ね to agree.

Example 5 of 5: A sign of summer with 風物詩
Example 5 of 5
Professor Agasa and the children stretch during radio exercises while Conan looks unimpressed.
名探偵コナン » Volume 35 » Page 123

Conan has joined the other children for radio exercises at school. As everyone follows the routine, he broods over how he should be enjoying his summer vacation as a second-year high school student. Instead, he is stuck exercising with elementary schoolers and wonders what he is doing there.

元太(げんた):
「おい! 真面目(まじめ)にやれよな!」
“Hey! Take this seriously!”
歩美(あゆみ):
「ラジオ体操(たいそう)は大切(たいせつ)な夏(なつ)の風物詩(ふうぶつし)の一(ひと)つなんだよ!」
“Radio exercises are one of those treasured signs of summer!”
コナン:
「夏(なつ)の風物詩(ふうぶつし)ねえ…」
“A sign of summer, huh...”
View Full Example

Ayumi responds to Conan’s lack of enthusiasm by explaining what radio exercises mean to her. ラジオ体操(たいそう)は sets the exercises as the topic; the comment identifies them as one of the treasured signs of summer.

は Is Not Always the Subject

The topic is not always the grammatical subject of the predicate. It can be a person, object, time, place, or broader frame.

  • 日本語(にほんご)は少(すこ)し分(わ)かります。
  • As for Japanese, I understand a little.

  • 週末(しゅうまつ)は家(いえ)で休(やす)みたい。
  • As for the weekend, I want to rest at home.

In the first sentence, Japanese is the thing understood, but the speaker is the one who understands it. In the second, the weekend is the time frame, but the speaker is the one who wants to rest at home. は marks what the comment is about, not necessarily the doer of an action.

Example 1 of 6: A preference for pudding with 嗜好
Example 1 of 6
Manga panel from よつばと! showing example of A preference for pudding with 嗜好.
よつばと! » Volume 1 » Page 13

After Yousuke finishes moving his belongings into his new home with the help of his friend Jumbo, Jumbo offers to pick up some gifts for Yousuke to give his new neighbors when he goes around the neighborhood to introduce himself.

葉介(ようすけ):
「変(へん)なもん持(も)ってくんなよ」
“Don't bring back anything weird.”
ジャンボ:
「俺(おれ)はプリンが好(す)きなんだ」
“I happen to like pudding.”
葉介(ようすけ):
「いや おまえの嗜好(しこう)はいい」
“Never mind what you like.”
View Full Example

Jumbo makes himself the topic with 俺(おれ)は, but he uses プリンが for the thing he likes. You can read 俺(おれ) as the topic and プリン as the grammatical subject.

Example 2 of 6: Because strong players gather here with 〜ので
Example 2 of 6
Manga panel from ご注文はうさぎですか? showing example of Because strong players gather here with 〜ので.
ご注文はうさぎですか? » Volume 1 » Page 103

Cocoa inquires about the board and pieces sitting in front of Chino. Chino says it’s chess and gives a further explanation.

チノ:
「この温泉(おんせん)は強者(きょうしゃ)が集(あつ)まるのでおじいちゃんは白熱(はくねつ)してました」
“Grandpa would get excited because strong players gather at this hot spring spa.”
ココア:
「温泉(おんせん)に浸(つ)かりながらチェス出来(でき)るのっていいねー」
“It's nice being able to play chess while soaking in the hot spring.”
View Full Example

Chino uses この温泉(おんせん)は to make the hot spring a location frame. She uses 強者(きょうしゃ)が for the people who gather there, so the location topic is not the subject of 集(あつ)まる.

Example 3 of 6: Greeting a cousin's friend with どうも
Example 3 of 6
Manga panel from ひらやすみ showing example of Greeting a cousin's friend with どうも.
ひらやすみ » Volume 2 » Page 65

On his way home from buying groceries, Hiroto sees his cousin Natsumi cheering and dancing over a winning popsicle stick. While Natsumi agonizes over having been seen, Hiroto notices she’s brought a friend he hasn’t met.

なつみ:
「ぎゃ〜 はずかしー」
“Gah, how embarrassing!”
ヒロト:
「どうもーーー なっちゃんのいとこの生田(いくた)ヒロトです。」
“Howdy. I'm Nacchan's cousin, Hiroto Ikuta.”
あかり:
「え! あ、初(はじ)めまして。横山(よこやま)あかりです!」
“Oh, ah, pleased to meet you. My name's Akari Yokoyama!”
「今日(きょう)はお世話(せわ)になります!」
“Thank you for having me today!”
ヒロト:
「こちらこそ〜」
“The pleasure is mine!”
View Full Example

Akari meets Natsumi’s cousin Hiroto for the first time. 今日(きょう)はお世話(せわ)になります, “thank you for having me today”, uses 今日(きょう)は as a time frame. The topic says when, and the person being looked after is Akari herself, left unsaid.

Example 4 of 6: According to the rules with 〜によると
Example 4 of 6
Manga panel from たいようのいえ showing example of According to the rules with 〜によると.
たいようのいえ » Volume 1 » Page 19

Now that Mao is living at Hiro’s house, Hiro presents her with a list of rules. Before going to bed, Mao looks the list over.

真魚(まお):
「ルールによると朝(あさ)ごはんは必(かなら)ず一緒(いっしょ)に食(た)べる」
“According to the rules, we must always eat breakfast together.”
「夕飯(ゆうはん)もなるべく一緒(いっしょ)に」
“We should eat dinner together too, as often as possible.”
「朝(あさ)は一緒(いっしょ)に家(いえ)を出(で)る」
“We leave the house together in the morning.”
「近(ちか)くの神社(じんじゃ)にお参(まい)りしてから会社(かいしゃ)ないし学校(がっこう)へ行(い)く」
“After praying at the nearby shrine, we go to work or school.”
View Full Example

Mao reads over the house rules Hiro gave her. In 朝(あさ)ごはんは必(かなら)ず一緒(いっしょ)に食(た)べる, breakfast is the topic, but it’s the thing being eaten, so は has taken the place of を. 朝(あさ)は一緒(いっしょ)に家(いえ)を出(で)る makes a time the topic, and 夕飯(ゆうはん)も adds dinner to the eat-together rule.

Example 5 of 6: Becoming uninhibited with 気が大きくなる
Example 5 of 6
Manga panel from ひとりぼっちの○○生活 showing example of Becoming uninhibited with 気が大きくなる.
ひとりぼっちの○○生活 » Volume 1 » Page 22

Bocchi was up late reading a book on how to make friends. At the time, she was overly enthusiastic, but at school the next morning she finds her social anxiety has returned.

ぼっち:
「夜(よる)は気(き)が大(おお)きくなる」
“At night, I get bold.”
なこ:
「おーぼっち おはよ」
“Oh, Bocchi, morning!”
「? どした?」
“What's wrong?”
View Full Example

Bocchi stayed up late reading a book on making friends and felt ready for anything, but her nerves are back by morning. 夜(よる)は sets the time frame, and 気(き)が is the subject of 大(おお)きくなる: at night, she gets bold. The は also sets the night apart from the morning she’s in now.

Example 6 of 6: Might get along with 〜かもしれない
Example 6 of 6
Manga panel from ご注文はうさぎですか? showing example of Might get along with 〜かもしれない.
ご注文はうさぎですか? » Volume 1 » Page 24

Tippy remarks on how Cocoa adapted immediately to working in the café.

お父(とう)さん:
「ただあの娘(こ)あっという間(ま)に店(みせ)になじんでしまった」
“Still, that girl settled into the café in no time.”
ティッピー:
「チノにはああいう友達(ともだち)が合(あ)ってるかもしれん」
“Maybe a friend like that suits Chino.”
View Full Example

Tippy remarks on how quickly Cocoa has settled into the café. チノには, “for Chino”, makes Chino the topic, while 友達(ともだち)が is the subject of 合(あ)ってる: a friend like that might suit her.

Contrastive は

Because は sets one topic apart, it can also suggest contrast.

  • コーヒーは飲(の)むけど、紅茶(こうちゃ)は飲(の)まない。
  • I drink coffee, but I do not drink tea.

  • 駅(えき)には行(い)ったが、店(みせ)には入(はい)らなかった。
  • I went to the station, but I did not go into the shop.

The contrast does not always need to be translated with “but”. Sometimes the contrast is only implied by the context.

Example 1 of 6: Furthermore, it's just a bonus item with それに〜
Example 1 of 6
Manga panel from ストロボ・エッジ showing example of Furthermore, it's just a bonus item with それに〜.
ストロボ・エッジ » Volume 1 » Page 23

After school, Ninako notices Ren sleeping a few seats away on the train. When Ren wakes and rushes for his stop, he knocks Ninako’s phone from her hand. The phone hits the floor, and the strap charm breaks. Ren misses his exit while apologizing and offers to replace the charm.

仁奈子(になこ):
「だっ 大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)ですっ」
“I—it's all right.”
「ケータイは無事(ぶじ)だし!」
“Since my cell phone is safe!”
「それにこのストラップただのジュースのおまけだし」
“Furthermore, this strap was just a freebie that came with some juice.”
「しかももうだいぶ前(まえ)〜〜〜〜のやつで古(ふる)いから」
“Plus, it's from way back when, so it's old.”
View Full Example

Ninako singles out the phone as safe with ケータイは無事(ぶじ). This contrasts it with the phone’s broken strap charm.

Example 2 of 6: Call me Teacher with と呼べ
Example 2 of 6
Manga panel from からかい上手の高木さん showing example of Call me Teacher with と呼べ.
からかい上手の高木さん » Volume 15 » Page 66

Sanae’s teacher, Mr. Tanabe, has proposed to her older sister, who is also a teacher at the school.

「次(つぎ)の日(ひ)。」
“The following day.”
サナエ:
「おはよーございます、ニーサン。」
“Good morning, Big Brother.”
田辺(たなべ):
「学校(がっこう)では先生(せんせい)と呼(よ)べ、月本(つきもと)…」
“Call me 'Teacher' at school, Tsukimoto.”
View Full Example

Tanabe limits his command to school with 学校(がっこう)では. He contrasts 先生(せんせい) at school with what Sanae may call him elsewhere.

Example 3 of 6: Told me not to come with と言う
Example 3 of 6
Manga panel from 俺物語!! showing example of Told me not to come with と言う.
俺物語!! » Volume 2 » Page 159

Takeo and Yamato go out on a date for Yamato’s birthday. They have a great time spending the day together, but when Yamato asks Takeo what his friend Sunakawa is doing, Takeo becomes silent. He says Suna helped him plan the date’s events, and Takeo gives her the tickets to the date’s finale. He tells Yamato to take a friend, because he needs to go be with Suna.

猛男(たけお):
「砂川(すな)の父(とう)さんが今日(きょう)手術(しゅじゅつ)なんだ」
“Suna's dad is having surgery today.”
大和(やまと):
「え……」
“Eh......”
猛男(たけお):
「区立(くりつ)病院(びょういん)で2時(じ)からだ」
“It's at the municipal hospital at 2 o'clock.”
猛男(たけお):
「砂川(すな)には来(く)るなと言(い)われたが」
“Suna told me not to come, but...”
View Full Example

Takeo tells Yamato that Suna’s father is having surgery today. In 砂川(すな)には来(く)るなと言(い)われたが, に marks who said it, since 言(い)われた is passive, and は sets Suna’s wish apart from what Takeo means to do about it. The trailing が, “but”, leaves that contrast hanging.

Example 4 of 6: Unable to fall asleep after a horror movie with 目が冴える
Example 4 of 6
Manga panel from 好きな子がめがねを忘れた showing example of Unable to fall asleep after a horror movie with 目が冴える.
好きな子がめがねを忘れた » Volume 8 » Page 21

Komura and his mother watch a late-night horror movie. After his mother heads off to bed, Komura texts with Mie from class, who had also watched the movie with her father. The two switch to a phone call, and after a bit the subject of bedtimes comes up. Normally Mie can’t keep awake as late as Komura does.

小村(こむら):
「あ じゃあもう眠(ねむ)い…?」
“Ah, then right now you're sleepy?”
三重(みえ):
「あ 今日(きょう)は… なんか… 目(め)が冴(さ)えちゃって…」
“Ah, today I'm somewhat unable to fall asleep.”
View Full Example

Mie usually can’t stay up as late as Komura. 今日(きょう)は sets tonight apart from her usual nights: “today, for some reason, I’m wide awake”. Nothing names the contrast, but は implies it.

Example 5 of 6: Too cute pajamas with 〜すぎる
Example 5 of 6
Manga panel from ご注文はうさぎですか? showing example of Too cute pajamas with 〜すぎる.
ご注文はうさぎですか? » Volume 1 » Page 70

Chiya and Syaro unexpectedly have to stay the night at Chino’s home.

シャロ:
「チノちゃんにパジャマ借(か)りたのはいいけどちょっとかわいすぎない?」
“Borrowing pajamas from Chino-chan is fine, but aren't they a little too cute?”
「いつもはジャージなのに」
“Even though I usually wear a tracksuit.”
千夜(ちや):
「本物(ほんもの)のお嬢様(じょうさま)みたい♪」
“You look like a real young lady♪”
View Full Example

Syaro has borrowed pajamas from Chino for an unexpected sleepover. 借(か)りたのはいいけど, “borrowing them is fine, but”, grants one point before she objects. いつもはジャージなのに, “even though I usually wear a tracksuit”, sets her usual nights against this one.

Example 6 of 6: A hot-blooded cavalry battle with 血の気が多い
Example 6 of 6
Manga panel from キラキラとギラギラ showing example of A hot-blooded cavalry battle with 血の気が多い.
キラキラとギラギラ » Volume 4 » Page 85

During sports day, the events break for lunch. Lulu joins her friends, and they discuss the upcoming afternoon activities.

響子(きょうこ):
「騎馬戦(きばせん)は特(とく)に血(ち)の気(き)が多(おお)いけど」
“The cavalry battles are especially full of hot-blooded guys, though.”
清美(きよみ):
「うちは番長(ばんちょう)がいるから安泰(あんたい)だよね~」
“As long as the big boss is here, we're safe and sound, right~”
View Full Example

Over the sports day lunch break, Kyouko warns that 騎馬戦(きばせん)は特(とく)に, “the cavalry battles in particular”, draw hot-blooded guys, singling them out from the other events. Kiyomi answers with うちは, “our class”, setting her side apart: they have the big boss, so they’re safe.

Adding with も

The particle も marks that the item is included too.

  • 田中(たなか)さんも来(き)ます。
  • Tanaka is coming too.

  • 私(わたし)もそう思(おも)います。
  • I think so too.

  • 水(みず)も買(か)った。
  • I bought water too.

Like は, も can replace が or を. After other particles, it usually follows them.

  • 学校(がっこう)にも図書館(としょかん)にも行(い)った。
  • I went to both the school and the library.

  • 朝(あさ)から夜(よる)までも働(はたら)いた。
  • I worked even from morning until night.
Example 1 of 9: An accomplice in sharing lunch with 共犯
Example 1 of 9
Manga panel from 俺物語!! showing example of An accomplice in sharing lunch with 共犯.
俺物語!! » Volume 14 » Page 13

Yacchin eats little and dislikes many foods, so his friend Takeo helps by eating the parts of his lunch he doesn’t like. A teacher catches sight of this and yells at them not to give or take food from one another. When the coast is clear, Takeo continues, only to be sighted and punished by the teacher. Yacchin goes up to the teacher afterward.

やっちん:
「あの… さっきは猛男(たけお)くんひとりが悪(わる)いみたいになったんですけどオレも共犯(きょうはん)です…」
“Um... It seemed like Takeo was the only one at fault just now, but I was in on it too...”
View Full Example

Yacchin says Takeo looked like the only person at fault and adds himself with オレも. He uses も in the place that は or が would occupy in a statement about him.

Example 2 of 9: Relieving stress with 解消
Example 2 of 9
Manga panel from 名探偵コナン showing example of Relieving stress with 解消.
名探偵コナン » Volume 12 » Page 65

Kogoro, Ran, and Conan are at a convention for game software makers, since Kogoro helped as a consultant for a murder mystery video game. There, a punch strength test game catches Ran’s eye. She sees one of the developers throw a punch at it.

竹下(たけした):
「それよりどーですか?蘭(らん)さんも一発(いっぱつ)…」
“What about you? Would you like to take a shot at it, too?”
蘭(らん):
「いえ わたしは別(べつ)に」
“No, I'm not particularly...”
竹下(たけした):
「ストレス解消(かいしょう)にもなるし…」
“It's also a great way to relieve stress...”
View Full Example

Takeshita uses 蘭(らん)さんも to invite Ran after someone else has tried the machine. He places も after に in ストレス解消(かいしょう)にもなる when he presents stress relief as another benefit.

Example 3 of 9: Another round with おかわり
Example 3 of 9
Manga panel from ARIA The MASTERPIECE showing example of Another round with おかわり.
ARIA The MASTERPIECE » Volume 4 » Page 160

Akari visits Caffè Florian to wait until Alicia’s association meeting is over. There she meets a gentleman and the two pass the time together.

おじいさん:
「ウェイターおかわりをっ」
“Waiter, I'll have another.”
灯里(あかり):
「あ 私(わたし)も」
“Ah, me too.”
View Full Example

Akari is passing the time at Caffè Florian with an elderly gentleman. When he orders another cup, she adds 私(わたし)も, “me too”. She leaves the rest unsaid, since も already makes it clear she wants the same.

Example 4 of 9: Might appear bigger with 〜かもしれない
Example 4 of 9
Manga panel from ご注文はうさぎですか? showing example of Might appear bigger with 〜かもしれない.
ご注文はうさぎですか? » Volume 1 » Page 81

Due to Chino’s concerns about her height, Rize suggests a solution.

リゼ:
「声(こえ)が大(おお)きければ存在(そんざい)も大(おお)きく見(み)えるかもしれない」
“If your voice is loud, your presence might seem bigger too.”
チノ:
「錯覚(さっかく)ですか」
“An optical illusion?”
View Full Example

Chino worries about her height, and Rize suggests speaking up. 存在(そんざい)も大(おお)きく見(み)える, “your presence might look bigger too”, puts も where が would be: a bigger voice, and a bigger presence along with it.

Example 5 of 9: Too much to handle on top of class representative duties with 荷が重い
Example 5 of 9
Manga panel from orange showing example of Too much to handle on top of class representative duties with 荷が重い.
orange » Volume 3 » Page 121

Takako and Azu tell their teacher they want to participate in the sports day relay race. The teacher points out that participants have already been decided, then one of the decided participants chimes in.

生徒(せいと):
「私(わたし)もクラス代表(だいひょう)はちょっと荷(に)が重(おも)いなと思(おも)っていたので…」
“I was also thinking I have too much on my plate as class representative.”
「できれば代(か)わってもらえたら嬉(うれ)しいです」
“If possible, I'd be happy if someone could take my place.”
View Full Example

Takako and Azu want to run in the relay, and one of the students already picked speaks up. 私(わたし)も, “I also”, puts her alongside them in wanting a change, and クラス代表(だいひょう)は then sets the topic for 荷(に)が重(おも)い, “is a heavy load”. も and は can share a sentence, each marking a different item.

Example 6 of 9: Skilled clock maker with 職人
Example 6 of 9
Manga panel from 名探偵コナン showing example of Skilled clock maker with 職人.
名探偵コナン » Volume 17 » Page 118

Having received a letter requesting help solving a mystery, Kogoro finds himself in a house filled with animal designs everywhere, including the doors, the chairs, and the plates. His attention turns to the clocks covering the walls.

小五郎(こごろう):
「しかし動物(どうぶつ)もさることながら、時計(とけい)もたくさんありますなー...」
“But aside from the animals, there are also a lot of clocks, huh...”
男(おとこ):
「当(あ)たり前(まえ)ですよ... 祖父(そふ)は時計(とけい)職人(しょくにん)だったんですから...」
“Of course there are... Grandfather was a clock maker, after all...”
View Full Example

Kogoro is in a house with animal designs on everything, and clocks cover the walls. 動物(どうぶつ)もさることながら、時計(とけい)も is a set pattern for “not only A, but B too”: the animals are one thing, and there are lots of clocks as well. Both items take も.

Example 7 of 9: Thanks for the gift with あざっす
Example 7 of 9
Manga panel from それでも歩は寄せてくる showing example of Thanks for the gift with あざっす.
それでも歩は寄せてくる » Volume 9 » Page 5

Urushi returns from her school trip with gifts for the underclassmen in the shogi club. First she presents the treats she bought for everyone, then she pulls out shogi piece keychains.

うるし:
「凛(りん)ちゃんは香車(きょうしゃ)」
“Rin, this one's the lance.”
「タケルは角(かく)と竜(りゅう)買(か)ってきたから桜子(さくらこ)ちゃんにもあげてくれ」
“Takeru, I bought a bishop and a dragon, so give one of them to Sakurako too.”
タケル:
「あざっす」
“Thanks.”
View Full Example

Urushi hands out shogi-piece keychains from her school trip. She bought Takeru two, so she tells him to share: 桜子(さくらこ)ちゃんにもあげてくれ, “give one to Sakurako too”. Here も follows に instead of replacing it.

Example 8 of 9: Being strict with oneself and one's student with 心を鬼にする
Example 8 of 9
Manga panel from 名探偵コナン showing example of Being strict with oneself and one's student with 心を鬼にする.
名探偵コナン » Volume 16 » Page 91

Conan’s classmates aren’t fond of their new teacher’s strict attitude. Ms. Kobayashi explains how at her last school, she couldn’t bring herself to be strict, and it allowed her students to get so out of control that students were injured in a fight.

小林(こばやし):
「だから、この学校(がっこう)では二度(にど)とあんな事(こと)は繰(く)り返(かえ)すまいと…」
“Therefore, to keep from repeating that kind of situation at this school...”
「心(こころ)を鬼(おに)にして自分(じぶん)にも生徒(せいと)にも厳(きび)しくしてきたの…」
“I hardened my heart and became strict, with myself and with my students...”
View Full Example

Ms. Kobayashi explains why she’s so strict with Conan’s class. 自分(じぶん)にも生徒(せいと)にも厳(きび)しくしてきた, “I’ve been strict with both myself and my students”, repeats にも on each item, the “both A and B” pattern from the start of this section.

Example 9 of 9: Making it so you can walk on water with 〜ようにする
Example 9 of 9
In an inset panel, Sakura holds her wand and stares wide-eyed. Below it, Li stands on the rippling surface of the water, holding a lit candle and looking back over his shoulder. The words 早くこい are written small beside his speech balloon.
カードキャプターさくら » Volume 4 » Page 131

During a test of courage in a cave, Sakura’s classmates vanish one by one. Li senses a Clow Card near the shrine by the spring at the end of the cave, and he lights a candle with fire magic so they can see. The bridge across the water to the shrine has burned. Sakura suggests flying over with the Fly card, but Li says they should approach quietly so the card won’t notice them. He chants a spell, and sparkles swirl around both their feet. Then Li steps out onto the water, and Sakura cries out his name.

桜(さくら):
「それも李(り)君(くん)の魔法(まほう)?」
“Is that your magic too, Li?”
小狼(シャオラン):
「おまえも歩(ある)けるようにした」
「早(はや)くこい」
“I made it so you can walk on it too.”
“Hurry up and come on.”
View Full Example

Li is already standing on the water, and his spell lets Sakura walk on it as well. おまえも歩(ある)けるようにした is “I made it so you can walk on it too”. も adds Sakura to Li, in the place が would take.

Related Grammar

Supplemental Examples

Try finding this grammar in the following examples:
A festival takoyaki food stall with 屋台
Kanji » Shelter and shops with 屋
舞妓さんちのまかないさん » Volume 8 » Page 84
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A stable flame with 安定
Kanji » Peace and ease with 安
とんがり帽子のアトリエ » Volume 2 » Page 50
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According to Nostradamus with 〜によれば
Grammar » According to with 〜によると and 〜によれば
ちびまる子ちゃん » Volume 8 » Page 42
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Club training with 心を鬼にする
Idiom » Taking a hardhearted stance with 心を鬼にする
桜蘭高校ホスト部 » Volume 1 » Page 127
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Costume for catching a Clow Card with 衣装
Kanji » Clothing and garments with 衣
カードキャプターさくら » Volume 1 » Page 80
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Diving into the river with 飛びこむ
Vocabulary » Words ending in 込む
俺物語!! » Volume 1 » Page 114
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Don't ignore my question with スルー
Vocabulary » Ignoring with スルー
ひとりぼっちの○○生活 » Volume 1 » Page 67
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Especially ferocious with とりわけ
Vocabulary » Especially with とりわけ
ポケットモンスタースペシャル » Volume 1 » Page 146
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Exploring the neighborhood with 探索
Kanji » Searching and probing with 探
ふらいんぐうぃっち » Volume 1 » Page 91
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Feeling a bit better with 気が晴れる
Idiom » Feeling better with 気が晴れる
アオハライド » Volume 5 » Page 168
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Following after is bad with あかん
Vocabulary » Vocabulary in the Kansai dialect
ARIA The MASTERPIECE » Volume 2 » Page 129
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Going to say good morning with 行っといで
Grammar » How casual contractions work
ストロボ・エッジ » Volume 2 » Page 15
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Hesitant to wear contacts with 抵抗
Kanji » Resistance and contact with 抵
僕が僕であるために。 » Volume 1 » Page 21
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Kindrid spirits in drinking tea with 気が合う
Idiom » Getting along with 気が合う
老女的少女ひなたちゃん » Volume 3 » Page 104
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Lame monkeys with ダサい
Vocabulary » Unfashionable with ダサい
くノ一ツバキの胸の内 » Volume 1 » Page 70
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Liberated from a life of paying rent with 解放
Kanji » Separating and understanding with 解
ひらやすみ » Volume 1 » Page 88
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Losing all that built-up friendship with 水の泡になる
Idiom » All that effort for nothing with 水の泡になる
一週間フレンズ。 » Volume 3 » Page 51
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Lunch duty today of all days with 〜に限って
Grammar » Of all times to happen with 〜に限って
好きな子がめがねを忘れた » Volume 1 » Page 47
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Naru's place with 〜んち
Grammar » One's house with 〜んち
美少女戦士セーラームーン » Volume 1 » Page 13
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Operating a computer with 操作
Kanji » Making and creating things with 作
あずまんが大王 » Volume 1年生 » Page 31
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Please let me pay with 〜せてください
Grammar » Please let me with 〜させてください
レンタルおにいちゃん » Volume 1 » Page 95
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Possibility of building a time machine with 可能
Kanji » Ability and capability with 能
orange » Volume 2 » Page 30
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Quoting a reward with って
Grammar » Quoting and reporting with と and って
月のお気に召すまま » Volume 1 » Page 41
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Receiving saying with 〜れる
Grammar » Receptive verbs with 〜れる
ご注文はうさぎですか? » Volume 1 » Page 4
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Rest through a cold with 安静
Kanji » Peace and ease with 安
ちいさな森のオオカミちゃん » Volume 1 » Page 150
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Scheduled to work outside at night with 〜ことになる
Grammar » To end up being with 〜ことになる
シャドーハウス » Volume 2 » Page 66
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Scoring like crazy in the ball-toss event with 玉入れ
Vocabulary » Sports day and athletic events
それでも歩は寄せてくる » Volume 2 » Page 40
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Stop joking with 〜たまえ
Grammar » Commanding with 〜たまえ
名探偵コナン » Volume 1 » Page 8
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That said, she'll still show her homework with 〜つつも
Grammar » Contradicting with 〜つつも
あしたは土曜日 » Volume 春・夏 » Page 122
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Thinking it's the motive with と思う
Grammar » Quoting and reporting with と and って
幼なじみが強敵です。 » Volume 1 » Page 25
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Thinking of revealing the truth with 〜ようと思う
Grammar » Thinking of doing with 〜ようと思う
ふだつきのキョーコちゃん » Volume 3 » Page 167
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Thinking your clothes were baggier with 〜気がする
Grammar » Thinking or feeling something with 〜気がする
からかい上手の高木さん » Volume 3 » Page 40
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Unsuitable conditions for live-in work with 住み込み
Vocabulary » Words ending in 込む
ぼくの魔なむすめ » Volume 2 » Page 118
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Watching the news with 観る
Vocabulary » Observing with 観る
からかい上手の(元)高木さん » Volume 1 » Page 113
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Wave for me with 〜てくれる
Grammar » Receiving kindness with 〜てくれる
よつばと! » Volume 1 » Page 8
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You say that, but it's not important with だって
Grammar » That said with だって
三ツ星カラーズ » Volume 1 » Page 5
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あたし from a middle school girl
Vocabulary » Personal Pronouns
怪盗セイント・テール » Volume 1 » Page 85
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