Use で to build and understand simple Japanese sentences. で follows the place where an action happens: studying takes place at school.
The idea
で follows the place where an action happens: studying takes place at school. It also marks a means of transport or a tool: the bus is how one travels. Reading happens at the library, so the activity location takes で; existence with あります uses に.
| Phrase | Continuation |
|---|---|
| 学校で | 勉強します |
| バスで | 行きます |
| 箸で | 食べます |
Examples
- 私は家でお茶を飲みます。I drink tea at home.
- 学校で日本語を勉強します。I study Japanese at school.
- 図書館で本を読みます。I read books at the library.
- バスで駅に行きます。I go to the station by bus.
- 箸でご飯を食べます。I eat a meal with chopsticks.
- 今日、図書館で本を読みます。Today I read a book at the library.
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Watch out
Do not choose a particle from the place noun alone. Compare doing something at a place with a person or object being there.
Try it yourself
学校＿勉強します。（で／に）
Show answer or example answer
で
で follows the place where an action happens: studying takes place at school.
バス＿行きます。（で／に）
Show answer or example answer
で
It also marks a means of transport or a tool: the bus is how one travels.
図書館＿本を読みます。（で／に）
Show answer or example answer
で
Reading happens at the library, so the activity location takes で; existence with あります uses に.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
学校＿勉強します。（で／に）
バス＿行きます。（で／に）
図書館＿本を読みます。（で／に）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write two Japanese sentences using で. Explain what each means, then compare the forms with the examples.