Today’s grammar point, どうやって (“how / by what method”), is one of the most practical expressions you’ll learn at N5 level.
Whether you’re asking how to get to the train station, how to cook a dish, or how to use a vending machine, どうやって is essential.
This is one of those grammar points that immediately helps you communicate more confidently.
Main Lesson: How to Use どうやって
Meaning
どうやって literally means “by what method” or “how (do you do something)”.
You use it when asking about the method, process, or way to do something.
It does not ask “How are you?”
It does not ask “How many?”
It does not ask “How long?”
It only asks about method.
Structure
The structure is simple:
どうやって + Verb (ます form / dictionary form)
“How do you…?” / “How did you…?”
Example 1: Asking for directions
A: すみません。えき まで どうやって いきますか。
Excuse me. How do I get to the station?
This is polite, simple, and used every day in Japan.
Example 2: Asking about a process
A: このりょうりは どうやって つくりますか。
How do you make this dish?
Great for restaurants or cooking lessons.
Example 3: Casual form between friends
A: それ、どうやって したの？
How did you do that?
Marking this as casual helps learners keep track of formality.
Vocabulary list
| Words | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| えいがかん | eigakan | movie theater; cinema |
| えいご | eigo | English language |
| えき | eki | station |
| えんぴつ | enpitsu | pencil |
| しお | shio | salt |
| よこ | yoko | beside,side,width |
| した | shita | below; down; under; bottom |
Example Sentence
どうやって えいがかん に いきますか。
How do you go to the movie theater?
どうやって えいご を べんきょう しますか。
How do you study English?
どうやって えき の よこ まで いきますか。
How do you get to the place next to the station?
どうやって この えんぴつ を つかいますか。
How do you use this pencil?
しお は どうやって つくりますか。
How do you make salt?
これは どうやって した に おとしますか。
How do you drop this down?
Summary
Today, you learned one of the most practical survival grammar patterns in Japanese:
どうやって = How (do you do something)? / By what method?
You now understand:
- How to form どうやって questions
- How to use polite and casual forms
- When and why native speakers use it
- How to avoid common mistakes
As you continue toward Day 100, remember that building confidence with small, high-value grammar is more important than memorizing rare forms. Whatever your age or background, consistency is your biggest strength.
If you keep showing up—even 10 minutes a day—you will reach N5.
