them for Japanese speakers — pronunciation and common errors

Pronunciation

Japanese phonology lacks the /ð/ phoneme, so speakers substitute the alveolar plosive /d/. This causes 'them' /ðem/ to be produced as /dem/, occasionally leading to confusion with the word 'dam'.

Grammar

Japanese is a pro-drop language where the object is frequently omitted if understood from context. Consequently, learners often drop the object pronoun 'them' in sentences like 'I like them', producing 'I like' (suki desu) instead.

Examples

• I saw my friends and waved to them.
• If you find the keys on the table, please bring them to me in the kitchen.