The Japanese particle で transcribed de is used in a wide range of contexts, but it is most commonly used after a phrase describing the location (where) of an action or the means (how) of completing an action.
In this post, we’ll look at when to use the particle で transcribed de and how it is used in different kinds of sentences. Let’s have a look!
When to use で (de) in Japanese?
The Japanese particle で transcribed de is used after a noun to create a range of different types of descriptive or modifying phrases. Phrases ending with で transcribed de can describe…
the location of an action
the material you used to make something
the means by which an action was completed
the period of time during which an action took place
the category from which a noun is drawn
the quantity of a noun
Let’s go through each of these uses and see some examples!
Locations
The particle で transcribed de may follow the location of an action.
We generally use で transcribed de when an action takes place entirely at one location, rather than when it travels from one place to another.
Materials
The particle で transcribed de is used to express the material used to create something. Phrases like these are often used before the name of the object being created, which is itself marked by the particle を transcribed o. Here are some examples:
Means
The particle で transcribed de is used to specify the means by which an action is completed. This might include:
A means of transportation or method of travel.
means of transportバスで町に行きます。Transcription: Basu de machi ni ikimasu.Translation: I go into town by bus.A tool used to complete an action.
tool黒のペンで書いてください。Transcription: Kuro no pen de kaitekudasai.Translation: Please write with a black pen.The language someone speaks in.
language英語で話してください。Transcription: Eigo de hanashite kudasai.Translation: Could you please speak in English?To remember this, think of language like a “tool” you use to say something: you speak “using” English.
You can even think of the “material” use we went over above as part of this list: you use some material as the means of creating something!
Periods of time
Another function of the particle で transcribed de is to specify the time period during which some action or activity takes place and finishes. It’s a lot like using “in” or “within” + time in English.
Sometimes the action might take place any time within the time period before で transcribed de:
Other times, it’s implied that the action will happen all at once, at the end of the time period:
Quantities
In addition to quantities of time, the particle で transcribed de is also used after some other types of quantities. These quantities include:
The quantity of an item associated with a particular cost.
quantity for purchase卵が１２個で２００円だ。Transcription: Tamago ga juuni ko de nihyaku en da.Translation: It’s 200 yen for 12 eggs.Tシャツが２枚で４０００円だった。Transcription: T-shatsu ga nimai de yon sen en datta.Translation: It was 4000 yen for two T-shirts.The speed at which something moves.
speedこの道は５０km/hで運転してください。Transcription: Kono michi wa jisoku gojukkiro de unten shite kudasai.Translation: Please drive this road at 50km/h.The number of people engaged in an activity or event.
size of group９人で野球をします。Transcription: Kyuunin de yakyuu o shimasu.Translation: We play baseball with nine people.Sometimes, the group isn’t described using a number, but using a word for the type of group engaged in the event.
type of group週末に家族でキャンプに行きました。Transcription: Shuumatsu ni kazoku de kyanpu ni ikimashita.Translation: I went camping with my family on the weekend.一人で旅行するより、グループで旅行する方が楽しい。Transcription: Hitori de ryokou suru yori guruupu de ryokou suru houga tanoshii.Translation: It’s better to travel in a group than by myself.
Categories
The particle で transcribed de can also be used in a sentence when you talk about a category that you’ve drawn something from. For example:
To sum up
In this post, we went through the different functions of the particle で transcribed de. It can indicate the:
Place where something happens
Material something is made of
Means by which an action is carried out (transportation, languages, and tools)
Category out of which you select something
Period of time within which something occurs
Quantity, be it money, measurement, etc., or number of people engaged in an activity
If you want to sum all of that up, just remember that phrases ending in で transcribed de are mostly used to describe “where” and “how”!
Now, let’s now practice what we saw with some exercises on で transcribed de!
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))