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All Japanese activities

Activities: How do you use the particle で (de) in Japanese?

By: Aya Nishioka

Activity 1: Identify the function of で [de]

Read the following sentences and choose the most appropriate function that the particle で transcribed de has for each sentence.

  1. 公園でピクニックをします。
    Transcription: Kouen de pikunikku o shimasu.
    Translation: We will go on a picnic at the park.
    Function of で:
    Select your answer
  2. えんぴつで漢字を書く練習をしてください。
    Transcription: Enpitsu de kanji o kaku renshuu o shite kudasai.
    Translation: Please practice writing kanji with a pencil.
    Function of で:
    Select your answer
  3. 日本でおいしいすしを食べたい。
    Transcription: Nihon de oishii sushi o tabetai.
    Translation: I want to eat delicious sushi in Japan.
    Function of で:
    Select your answer
  4. 日本から韓国まで飛行機で2時間だ。
    Transcription: Nihon kara Kankoku made hikouki de ni jikan da.
    Translation: It takes two hours from Japan to Korea by plane.
    Function of で:
    Select your answer
  5. 質問があったら、メールで連絡してくださいね。
    Transcription: Shitsumon ga attara meeru de renraku shite kudasai ne.
    Translation: Please contact me via email when you have a question.
    Function of で:
    Select your answer
  6. この机は木でできている。
    Transcription: Kono tsukue wa ki de dekiteiru.
    Translation: This desk is made out of wood.
    Function of で:
    Select your answer
  7. 三人で家を借ります。
    Transcription: San nin de ie o karimasu.
    Translation: Rent a room with three people.
    Function of で:
    Select your answer
  8. 毎日会社まで電車で行く。
    Transcription: Mainichi kaisha made densha de iku.
    Translation: I go to work by train everyday.
    Function of で:
    Select your answer
  9. あと３日で夏休みが終わる。
    Transcription: Ato mikka de natsuyasumi ga owaru.
    Translation: Summer vacation will end in three days.
    Function of で:
    Select your answer
  10. 日本で一番高い山は富士山だ。
    Transcription: Nihon de ichiban takai yama wa Fujisan da.
    Translation: Among the mountains in Japan, Mt. Fuji is the highest.
    Function of で:
    Select your answer

Activity 2: Rearrange the words

Use the banked words to translate each English sentence into Japanese. More than one answer may be possible!

  1. "I study with my friend at the library."
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • 。
  2. "I go to school by bicycle every day."
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • 。
  3. "Three peaches for 500 yen."
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • 。
  4. "I read a Japanese novel."
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • 。
  5. "Among all music, my favorite is pop music."
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • 。
  6. "The class will end at 3."
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • 。
  7. "I make cookies from flour and sugar."
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • 。
  8. "Vincent van Gogh is a world-famous artist." (literally: "...a famous artist in the world.")
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • 。