よ
🃏 Flashcard
よ
yo
Tap to reveal usage
you know; emphasis (ending particle)
N5
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N5
Beginner · Basic sentence structures
Reading
yo
Post ID
50680
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
you know; emphasis (ending particle)
📖 How to use it
Sentence-final particle 'yo' adds emphasis and asserts information the listener may not know, often translated as 'you know'.
Attaches to
Attaches to the end of a sentence, after any predicate form: dictionary form, ます-stem + ます, て-form, ない-form, past tense, or noun + です.
Yo is a sentence-final particle that gives your statement a push. It tells the listener 'this is new information for you' or 'I want you to pay attention.' It can make your sentence sound more assertive, like correcting someone or giving a friendly reminder. For example, if someone says it's cold and you disagree, you'd say 'あついですよ' — 'It's hot, you know.' It also makes commands or invitations sound more insistent, like 'はやくしてよ' — 'Hurry up!'
あしたはテストですよ。
Ashita wa tesuto desu yo.
We have a test tomorrow, you know.
ここはしずかですよ。
Koko wa shizuka desu yo.
This place is quiet, you know.
コーヒーはまだありますよ。
Kōhī wa mada arimasu yo.
There's still coffee, you know.
Not ね (ne)
ね seeks agreement and assumes the listener shares your viewpoint, like 'right?'. よ asserts something the listener may not know, like 'you know' or 'I tell you'. Use ね when you expect agreement, よ when you give information.
Register
This is neutral and used in both speaking and writing, but it's very common in casual conversation; in formal writing it's often omitted.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
よ
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat よ three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using よ. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N5 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern よ mean?
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You know; emphasis (ending particle)
What JLPT level is よ?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N5 — Beginner · Basic sentence structures. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use よ in a sentence?
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Attach よ (yo) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is よ formal or casual Japanese?
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よ is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.
How can I remember よ long-term?
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Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.