In this lesson you will learn to give and understand traffic directions. Take a look at the following sentences:
Please turn right at that corner. | あの 角 を 右 に 曲がって ください。ano kado wo migi ni magatte kudasai. |
Go straight at the traffic light. | 信号 を まっすぐ 行って ください。singou wo massugu itte kudasai. |
Even though normally the word at is translated with に or with で, in the above sentences the particle を is used.
The particle を is often used to indicate motion through something, and together with motion verbs often means through, from or past. The particle を indicates a point that is between the origin, which would be marked with the particle から, and the destination, which would be marked with the particle へ or に.
(We) ran through the forest. | 林 を 走りました。hayasi wo hasirimasita. |
The canoe went down the river. | カヌー は 川 を 下った。kanuu ha kawa wo kudatta. |