Breakdown of mochiron kigen o mamoru.
をo
direct object particle
期限kigen
deadline
もちろんmochiron
of course
守るmamoru
to keep
Questions & Answers about mochiron kigen o mamoru.
Why is the particle を used after 期限? Could I use に?
守る is a transitive verb meaning “to keep/observe/abide by,” so the thing you keep (here, 期限) takes the direct object marker を. Saying 期限に守る is ungrammatical. For comparison:
- 期限を守る = “meet/keep the deadline”
- 期限に間に合う = “make it by the deadline”
- 期限までに終える／提出する = “finish/submit by the deadline”
Who is the subject here? Could it mean “I,” “you,” or “we”?
Japanese often omits the subject when it’s clear from context. もちろん 期限を守る could mean “I will,” “we will,” or even “they will,” depending on the situation. To make it explicit, add a topic/subject: 私は／僕は／私たちは もちろん、期限を守る。
Does 守る here mean “protect”? What exactly is the nuance?
Besides “protect/defend,” 守る also means “observe/comply with/keep” for rules, promises, time limits, etc. Examples:
- 約束を守る (keep a promise)
- ルール／規則を守る (follow the rules)
- 時間を守る (be punctual) With 期限, it means “to meet/keep the deadline.”
Is this sentence polite or casual? How do I make it polite?
