N5 Sentence Endings, Guesses and Invitations

~よ: meaning, usage and examples

~よ means: informing the listener of something, or for emphasis.

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 気きをつけてくださいよ。

   Please be careful, okay!

2. もう時間じかんですよ。

   It's time already, you know!

3. そのバスは駅えきに行いきませんよ。

   That bus doesn't go to the station, you know.

4. 山田やまださん、かばんを忘わすれましたよ。

   Ms. Yamada, you forgot your bag.

When to use it

Put よ at the end of a sentence to tell the listener something they probably do not know, or to make a point stronger. It works like "you know" or "I tell you" in English. Use it for useful information, warnings, and gentle advice, for example when a friend forgot something or a shop is closed.

Nuance

Used in casual and polite speech: 高たかいですよ, 高たかいよ. With a soft tone it sounds helpful. With a strong tone, or toward someone above you, it can sound pushy, as if you are correcting them. Do not use it for things the listener already knows.

Compare

よ vs ね: よ gives new information (この店みせは安やすいですよ = this shop is cheap, I'm telling you). ね seeks agreement on shared information (この店みせは安やすいですね = this shop is cheap, isn't it?). よね checks that you both think the same thing.

Tip: Think of よ as an arrow pointing at the listener: "here is something for you". Avoid it with your teacher or boss when the point is obvious.

More on this in Japanese particles.