〜で（手段・方法） ~de (method/way)【JLPT N5 Grammar】

Let’s learn what it means

The expression “〜で（手段しゅだん・方法ほうほう）” is used to indicate a method of expressing a certain action or condition.

Textbooks in which this sentence pattern appears

The sentence pattern of “〜で（手段しゅだん・方法ほうほう）” can be studied in the following textbooks.

Minna no Nihongo beginner’s level Lesson 5 and 7
Dekiru Nihongo Beginner’s level Lesson 7

Example sentences

Learn many example sentences and study how to use them.

1. 色鉛筆いろえんぴつで手紙てがみを書かいています。
2. 電車でんしゃで学校がっこうに行いきます。
3. 笑顔えがおで挨拶あいさつをします。
4. 雨あめで服ふくが濡ぬれました。
5. マップまっぷで道みちを確認かくにんしてください。

色鉛筆いろえんぴつで手紙てがみを書かいています。

It means, “I am writing letters with colored pencils.”

電車でんしゃで学校がっこうに行いきます。

It means, “I go to school by train.”

笑顔えがおで挨拶あいさつをします。

It means, “Greetings with a smile.”

雨あめで服ふくが濡ぬれました。

It means, “My clothes got wet from the rain.”

マップまっぷで道みちを確認かくにんしてください。

It means, “Please check the map for directions.”

“で” of tools

In this case, “〜で” is appropriate for expressing an action performed with a specific tool.

For example,

1. ペンぺんで手紙てがみを書かきます。（I write letters with a pen.）
The “pen” is a tool for writing letters.

2. 電車でんしゃで学校がっこうに行いきます。（I go to school by train.）
A train is a tool for going to school.

“で” of condition

In this case, “〜で” expresses a certain state or condition.
It may also be used with an adjective or adverb indicating a particular state of affairs.

For example,

1. 笑顔えがおで挨拶あいさつをします。（Greet with a smile.）
“笑顔えがお” is an attitude or state of being when greeting someone.

2. 真剣しんけんな態度たいどで取とり組くむ。（Work with a serious attitude.）
“真剣しんけんな態度たいど” indicates the condition of a person who is working on something

“で” of method

In this case, “〜で” is used to indicate the method or procedure for carrying out an action.

For example,

1. 日本語にほんご学校がっこうに行いくことで日本語にほんごを学まなんだ。（I learned Japanese by going to Japanese language school.）
“日本語にほんご学校がっこうに行いくこと” is a way to learn Japanese.

2. 旅行りょこうに行いくことで世界中せかいじゅうに友達ともだちを作つくった。（I made friends all over the world by going on trips.）
“旅行りょこうに行いくこと” is a way to make friends all over the world.

“で” of ingredients or materials

In this case, “〜で” indicates specific ingredients for cooking, or materials for crafts, etc.

For example,

1. チョコレートちょこれーとでケーキけーきを作つくる。（Made a cake with chocolate.）
“チョコレートちょこれーと” is an ingredient of a cake.

2. 野菜やさいと肉にくで鍋なべを作つくりました。（I made a hot pot with vegetables and meat.）
“野菜やさい” and “肉にく” are ingredients for hot pot.

“で” of elements

In this case, “〜で” indicates a specific element or factor, which is a component or element of something that affects the outcome or behavior.

For example,

1. 家族かぞくのサポートさぽーとと努力どりょくで彼女かのじょは大学だいがくに合格ごうかくしました。
（She was accepted to college with the support of her family and her hard work.）
Family support and hard work were the reasons why she passed the college entrance exam.

2. 経験けいけんと知識ちしきで彼かれは問題もんだいを解決かいけつしました。
（He solved the problem with his experience and knowledge.）
Experience and knowledge are the factors that he solved his problems.

“で” of contents

In this case, “〜で” is also used to indicate the contents or components in which something is packed.

For example,

1. この本棚ほんだなは本ほんで埋うまっています。（This bookshelf is filled with books.）
“本ほん” is the contents of the bookshelf.

2. 冷蔵庫れいぞうこが食材しょくざいで溢あふれています。（The refrigerator is full of food.）
“食材しょくざい” is the contents of the refrigerator.

“で” of attached objects

In this case, “〜で” is used to describe the state of something sticking to the surface, e.g., rain, dirt, or dust.

For example,

1. 雨あめで服ふくが濡ぬれました。（My clothes got wet from the rain.）
“雨あめ” is what sticks to your clothes.

2. 砂すなで靴くつが汚よごれました。（My shoes got dirty from the sand.）
“砂すな” is what sticks to your shoes.

Difference between “で” of tool and “で” of condition

When “〜で” indicates a tool, it describes an action performed with an actual physical tool.

When “〜で” indicates a condition, it conveys an action performed through emotion, attitude, posture, or movement, without the use of concrete tools.

The term “様態ようたい(condition)” refers to a word or mode of expression used to describe the state or condition of a thing or state of affairs.

We will continue to explain other grammar points and example sentences in the next article, so stay tuned.

See you next time!