Nankai mo ikimashita

Another function of “mo”

The basic meaning of “mo” is “also” as follows.

Kore mo kaimasu. = I also buy this one.
Are mo kore mo zenbu hoshii. = I want that, I want this, I want everything.
Kinou wa kouen ni ikimashita. Kafe ni mo ikimashita. = I went to a park yesterday, also went to a cafe.
Watashi wa hidarikiki desuga, migi de mo kakemasu. = I am lefty, but I can also write with right hand.

The particle “mo” in Japanese is commonly known for its use in indicating “also” or “too.” However, “mo” has another important function when used with numbers or quantifiers. In this context, it expresses that the numbers are many, emphasizing quantity in a subjective manner, reflecting the speaker’s perception of the quantity being notable.

Pan o hutatsu mo tabemashita. = I ate 2 pieces of bread.
Biiru wa nihai mo nomemasen. = I can’t drink 2 glasses of beer.
Ano fuku wa goman’en mo shimasu. = That clothe costs 50,000 yen.
Nankai mo toire ni ikimashita. = I went to the bathroom several times.
Nannin mo watashi no mae o toorimashita. = Many people passed in front of me.

Contrast with “dake”

While “mo” emphasizes quantity as being large, the particle “dake” often implies limitation or a small number. For example, “Sannin dake kimashita” means “Only three people came,” emphasizing that the number is small or insufficient.

Exercise

Questions

Imagine that the numbers in the sentences are many for you. Translate them into Japanese.

  1. I drank 2 cups of coffee. *drink = nomu, 2 cups = nihai
  2. You have 3 children. *child, children = kodomo, 3 people = sannin
  3. I did the same thing several times. *same thing = onaji koto

Answers

  1. Koohii o nihai mo nomimashita.
  2. Sannin mo kodomo ga imasu. (Kodomo ga sannin mo imasu.)
  3. Onaji koto o nankai mo shimashita.