The Japanese particle "で" has various roles, often equating to English prepositions such as in, at, with, or by.
Here are five primary functions of the particle "で".
で indicates the location of an action
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Place / Location ] + で
English Meaning
at [Place / Location ], in [Place / Location ]
The particle "で" is used to indicate location, specifically the place where an action or activity takes place.
Generally, "で" is inserted into the sentence in the form of "~で," clearly specifying the location where the subject's action happened.
It's important to keep in mind that "で" cannot be used with verbs that involve a change of position as a result of movement. Because "で" only indicates the place where an action or activity happens, it cannot be used with verbs of movement such as "go," "come," "enter," or "exit."
For example, in the sentence "東京で行きました," it is incorrect. The use of "go" in this sentence implies movement from the current location to Tokyo, making it grammatically incorrect.
With verbs like "go" or "come," it is grammatically incorrect in any context. However, with verbs like "travel" or "study abroad," even though it is grammatically correct, the meaning could potentially change.
So, it's important to be cautious and consider the context.
For instance, the sentence "東京で旅行に行く" is grammatically correct, but depending on the context, it can be misunderstood.
This sentence means that you are going to various places within Tokyo.
If you go to places outside of Tokyo, such as Osaka or Kyoto, it would be incorrect, and the correct phrase would be "東京に旅行に行く."
Example Sentences
Japanese
レストランで昼ごはんを食べました。
English
I had lunch at a restaurant.
Japanese
学校で日本語を勉強をしています。
English
I study Japanese at school.
Japanese
ここでタバコを吸ってはいけません。
English
Smoking is prohibited here.
Japanese
家で仕事をしています。
English
I'm working at home.
で indicates means or methods
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Means or Methods ] + で
English Meaning
by, with
The particle "で" serves the role of indicating means or methods. This particle is used to demonstrate how a specific action is performed, or what means are used to perform it.
For instance, in the sentence "電車で学校に行く" (I go to school by train), "で" is indicating the means. In other words, this sentence means "I go to school using the train."
Also, in the sentence "日本語で話す" (I speak in Japanese), "で" is indicating the means of speaking, namely, which language is being used. This sentence means "I speak using Japanese."
Japanese
電車で学校に行ってます。
English
I go to school by train.
Japanese
アニメで日本語を学びました。
English
I learned Japanese through anime.
Japanese
インターネットで日本のことを調べました。
English
I looked up information about Japan on the internet.
で indicates a material
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Material ] + で
English Meaning
made by, made from, made with
The particle "で" also plays a role in indicating materials or ingredients. This is used when referring to specific materials employed in creating or producing something.
For example, in the sentence "紙で折り鶴を作る" (I make an origami crane with paper), "で" is pointing to the material used to create the origami crane, which is paper. In other words, the meaning of this sentence is "I make an origami crane using paper."
Also, in the sentence "木で家を建てる" (I build a house with wood), "で" is indicating the material used to build the house, which is wood. The meaning of this sentence is "I build a house using wood."
Japanese
このテーブルは木でできています。
English
This table is made of wood.
Japanese
この皿はプラスチックでできている。
English
This plate is made from plastic.
で indicates a limit or scope
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Number ] + で
English Meaning
within the time, in the place
The Japanese particle "で" also has a role in indicating a limit or scope. It is used when illustrating the limit or range of a specific action or state.
For instance, in the sentence "一人でできる" (I can do it alone), "で" is indicating the scope or limit of the action, meaning how many people it can be done by. This sentence means "I can do it by myself," implying it can be done without the help of others.
Japanese
1時間で宿題を終えました。
English
I finished my homework in one hour.
Japanese
彼は半年でその仕事を辞めた。
English
He quit the job in six months.
Japanese
りんご10個で1000円でした。
English
The apples were 1000 yen for 10.
Japanese
その車は、時速100キロで走っていた。
English
The car was traveling at 100 kilometers per hour.
Japanese
これは今までで一番美味しいラーメンです。
English
This is the best ramen I've ever had.
で indicates a cause or a reason
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Reason ] + で
English Meaning
because of, due to
The Japanese particle "で" also serves the role of indicating a cause or reason. This is used when illustrating why a particular result or state has occurred, denoting its cause or reason.
For example, in the sentence "風邪で休む" (I take a rest because of a cold), "で" is indicating the reason for resting, which is the cause. The meaning of this sentence becomes "I take a rest due to catching a cold."
Also, in the sentence "成功で喜ぶ" (I am happy because of success), "で" is pointing to the reason for happiness, that is, the cause of joy. The meaning of this sentence is "I am happy because I've succeeded."
Japanese
病気で学校を休みました。
English
I was absent from school because of sick.
Japanese
雨で試合が中止になった。
English
The game was cancelled due to the rain.