も～も (both...and)

• Reading: も
• Romaji: mo
• Formation: Noun + も + Noun + も + Predicate

Meaning

A construction using repeated も to list two or more elements that share the same property or situation. In affirmative sentences it means 'both X and Y,' and in negative sentences it means 'neither X nor Y.'

By attaching も to each listed element, this pattern emphasizes that the same statement applies to all of them equally. AもBも好きだ means 'I like both A and B,' stressing the inclusive nature. In negative contexts, AもBも行かない means 'I will go to neither A nor B.' This pattern is stronger than listing with と because it highlights each element individually. Three or more items can be listed: AもBもCも. The pattern works with any particle that も normally replaces or follows: 東京にも大阪にも行った (I went to both Tokyo and Osaka). A common advanced usage is with question words: 何も誰もいない (there is nothing and nobody).

Examples

1. 父も母も元気です。 Both my father and mother are well.
2. 日本語も英語も話せます。 I can speak both Japanese and English.
3. 肉も魚も好きではありません。 I like neither meat nor fish.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 兄も姉も大学生です。
• お茶もジュースもあります。
• この店は味もサービスもいい。

Don't Say

• 犬も猫は好きです。(Mixing も and は — both elements need も for the parallel pattern to work) → 犬も猫も好きです。
• コーヒーも紅茶を飲みます。(Using も on only the first item and を on the second — both need も) → コーヒーも紅茶も飲みます。

Origin & History

This pattern is a natural doubling of the particle も. Since も means 'also/too,' repeating it for each element creates the inclusive meaning of 'this one too, and that one too,' which has been used in Japanese since the classical period.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal