～も～も (both ~ and ~ / neither ~ nor ~)

• Reading: も～も
• Romaji: mo ~ mo
• Formation: A + も + B + も + Predicate

Meaning

A structure presenting two states or actions of someone or something by using the inclusive particle も twice to emphasise that both apply equally. It conveys 'both ~ and ~' or with negation 'neither ~ nor ~.'

The も～も pattern uses the additive particle も in parallel to highlight that two elements share the same status — both are included, both are excluded, or both have the same quality. In affirmative sentences it means 'both A and B,' while in negative sentences it means 'neither A nor B.' It differs from と (simple listing) by adding emphasis on the inclusiveness or totality. The pattern can connect nouns, verbs, or entire clauses. When used with question words (誰も、何も、どこも), it creates universal quantifiers meaning 'everyone,' 'everything,' or 'everywhere.' It is one of the most versatile parallel structures in Japanese.

Examples

1. 日本語も英語も話せる人はこの会社に多い。 There are many people in this company who can speak both Japanese and English.
2. 週末は買い物も料理もしなければならない。 On weekends I have to do both shopping and cooking.
3. 彼は名前も顔も覚えていない。 I remember neither his name nor his face.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 父も母も元気にしている。
• 時間もお金もないから、旅行には行けない。
• あの映画は音楽もストーリーも素晴らしかった。

Don't Say

• 犬も好きだ。(Using only one も is not the parallel pattern; the speaker likely means both cats and dogs, so both should use も) → 猫も犬も好きだ。
• 水もジュースも飲む、でもコーヒーは飲まない。(While grammatically correct, adding an exception after も～も weakens the totality the pattern implies; restructure to make the contrast clearer) → 水もジュースも飲むが、コーヒーだけは飲まない。

Origin & History

The particle も has been used since Old Japanese to mean 'also' or 'even.' Doubling it in parallel creates a rhetorical device emphasising totality, a pattern well attested in classical literature and poetry where balanced phrasing was prized.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal