Meaning
よ adds a ‘I'm telling you’ nuance to a warning, correction, or useful new fact.
Formation
- Complete sentence + よ: 来ましたよ, 危ないですよ.
When to use it
- Useful information
- Gives the listener a fact that can help them decide what to do.
- Warning or correction
- Emphasizes a danger, a mistake, or an important change in the situation.
Examples
16 sentences-
その道は危ないですよ
That road is dangerous.
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明日はテストですよ
There is a test tomorrow, you know.
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この店のラーメンはおいしいですよ
The ramen at this shop is delicious, you know.
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電車はもう来ましたよ
The train has already arrived.
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田中さんは教室にいますよ
Mr. Tanaka is in the classroom.
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今日は図書館が休みですよ
The library is closed today.
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あの人は料理人ですよ
That person is a cook.
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私の妹は大学生ですよ
My younger sister is a university student.
8 more examples
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こちらは出口ですよ
This is the exit.
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この建物は美術館ですよ
This building is an art museum.
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その箱の中身はお菓子ですよ
The content of that box is sweets.
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私の担当は受付ですよ
My assignment is reception duty.
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あちらの女性は看護師ですよ
That woman over there is a nurse.
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今日の昼ご飯はカレーですよ
Today's lunch is curry.
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兄の専門は歴史ですよ
My older brother's specialty is history.
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次の授業は音楽ですよ
The next class is music.
Important notes
- The force of よ depends on intonation and context: it can sound caring, confident, or insistent.
Common mistakes
- Do not add よ to every statement; without a reason, it makes speech sound too forceful.
- Use ね, not よ, when you want friendly shared agreement.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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