Let’s learn what it means
The expression “〜で(手段・方法)” is used to indicate a method of expressing a certain action or condition.
- Meaning: Indicates means and methods
- In English: By 〜 / With 〜
- Conjunction: noun + で
- JLPT Level: N5
Textbooks in which this sentence pattern appears
The sentence pattern of “〜で(手段・方法)” 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.
- 色鉛筆で手紙を書いています。
- 電車で学校に行きます。
- 笑顔で挨拶をします。
- 雨で服が濡れました。
- マップで道を確認してください。
色鉛筆で手紙を書いています。
It means, “I am writing letters with colored pencils.”
何をしているんですか?
What are you doing?
色鉛筆で手紙を書いています。
I am writing letters with colored pencils.
もしかして絵手紙ですか?
Perhaps it is an illustrated postcard?
はい。家族に送ろうと思います。
Yes, it is. I am going to send it to my family.
電車で学校に行きます。
It means, “I go to school by train.”
今日は何をする予定ですか?
What is your plan for today?
電車で学校に行きます。
I go to school by train.
じゃあ、学校が終わったらカフェに行きませんか?
Then, after school, would you like to go to a cafe?
ぜひ行きたいです。
I would love to go.
笑顔で挨拶をします。
It means, “Greetings with a smile.”
友達を作るコツはありますか?
Do you have any tips for making friends?
笑顔で挨拶をします。
Greetings with a smile.
確かに挨拶は大事ですね。
It is indeed important to greet people.
雨で服が濡れました。
It means, “My clothes got wet from the rain.”
雨で服が濡れました。
My clothes got wet from the rain.
大変でしたね。タオルはありますか?
It was terrible. Do you have towels?
いいえ、乾くのを待つしかありません。
No, I have to wait for them to dry.
風邪を引かないといいですが・・・。
I hope you don’t catch a cold…
マップで道を確認してください。
It means, “Please check the map for directions.”
道に迷ってしまいました。
I have lost my way.
マップで道を確認してください。
Please check the map for directions.
見ているのですが、うまく動かないんです。
I’m looking, but it doesn’t work.
“で” of tools
In this case, “〜で” is appropriate for expressing an action performed with a specific tool.
For example,
1. ペンで手紙を書きます。(I write letters with a pen.)
The “pen” is a tool for writing letters.
2. 電車で学校に行きます。(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. 笑顔で挨拶をします。(Greet with a smile.)
“笑顔” is an attitude or state of being when greeting someone.
2. 真剣な態度で取り組む。(Work with a serious attitude.)
“真剣な態度” 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. 日本語学校に行くことで日本語を学んだ。(I learned Japanese by going to Japanese language school.)
“日本語学校に行くこと” is a way to learn Japanese.
2. 旅行に行くことで世界中に友達を作った。(I made friends all over the world by going on trips.)
“旅行に行くこと” 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. チョコレートでケーキを作る。(Made a cake with chocolate.)
“チョコレート” is an ingredient of a cake.
2. 野菜と肉で鍋を作りました。(I made a hot pot with vegetables and meat.)
“野菜” and “肉” 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. 家族のサポートと努力で彼女は大学に合格しました。
(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. 経験と知識で彼は問題を解決しました。
(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. この本棚は本で埋まっています。(This bookshelf is filled with books.)
“本” is the contents of the bookshelf.
2. 冷蔵庫が食材で溢れています。(The refrigerator is full of food.)
“食材” 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. 雨で服が濡れました。(My clothes got wet from the rain.)
“雨” is what sticks to your clothes.
2. 砂で靴が汚れました。(My shoes got dirty from the sand.)
“砂” 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(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!