7.4 The Particle で (de) to Indicate Tools, Methods or Transportation
This module explores how で is used to indicate the tools, methods or transportation by which an action is performed. Understanding this usage is essential for describing how you do things in Japanese.
What is the particle で to indicate tools, methods or transportation?
The particle で shows what you use (tools, methods or transportation) to accomplish something. Think of it as indicating ‘by means of’ or ‘using’ in English.
Usage in sentences
1. Tools
Examples:
携帯（けいたい）で写真（しゃしん）を撮（と）ります。
Keitai de shashin o tori masu.
I take photos with my smartphone.
ペンで名前（なまえ）を書（か）いてください。
Pen de namae o kaite kudasai.
Please write your name with a pen.
2. Methods
Examples:
日本語（にほんご）で話（はな）します。
Nihongo de hanashi masu.
I speak in Japanese.
3. Transportation
Examples:
バス（ばす）で大学（だいがく）に行（い）きます。
Basu de daigaku ni iki masu.
I go to university by bus.
電車（でんしゃ）で家（いえ）に帰（かえ）ります。
Densha de ie ni kaeri masu.
I go home by train.
NOTE: Don’t confuse this で with the location particle で. Compare:
- バスで行きます。(I [will] go by bus) – tools/means
- バス停（てい）で待（ま）ちます。(I [will] wait at the bus stop) – activity location
Question-and-answer pattern
This particle is used to answer the question どうやって (How?).
Examples:
Q: どうやって大学に行きますか。
Douyatte daigaku ni iki masu ka.
How do you go to university?
A: バスで行きます。
Basu de iki masu.
I go by bus.
Exercise 1
