watasi ha tomodati ni tegami wo kakimasu.

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Questions & Answers about watasi ha tomodati ni tegami wo kakimasu.

What role does play in the sentence?
The particle marks the topic of the sentence. In 私 は 友達 に 手紙 を 書きます, 私は means “as for me.” It sets (I) as the topic, telling the listener what the sentence is about.
Why do we use after 友達?
The particle marks the indirect object or recipient of the action. Here, 友達に means “to (a) friend.” It indicates who will receive the letter.
Why do we use after 手紙?
The particle marks the direct object of the verb. In this case, 手紙を means “(the) letter,” telling us what is being written.
Why is the verb placed at the end of the sentence?
Japanese follows an SOV (Subject–Object–Verb) word order. The verb naturally comes last. So you list the topic first (私は), then indirect object (友達に), then direct object (手紙を), and finally the verb (書きます).
What form is 書きます, and how does it compare to 書く?

書きます is the polite non-past form of the verb 書く (to write).

  • 書く is the plain/dictionary form (“to write”).
  • 書きます adds politeness, so it means “write” or “will write” in a polite style.
Does 書きます express present tense or future tense?
Japanese non-past tense covers both present and future actions. 書きます can mean “I write,” “I am writing,” or “I will write.” The exact meaning depends on context.
Why don’t we mark 友達 or 手紙 as plural?

Japanese nouns generally don’t change form for plural.

  • 友達 can mean “friend” or “friends.”
  • 手紙 can mean “letter” or “letters.”
    Plurality is inferred from context or added with words like 何人かの友達 (some friends).
Can we omit from the sentence?

Yes. If the speaker’s identity is clear, you can drop the topic.
Example: 友達に手紙を書きます。 still means “I write/ will write a letter to a friend.”

What’s the difference between using and with ?
  • 私は sets as the topic: “As for me, …”
  • 私が identifies or emphasizes as the subject: “I (and not someone else) …”
    For everyday actions, is more common to introduce your topic.