tool/means で V
で marks the instrument, method, or language used to perform an action.
I eat rice with chopsticks.
どうぞ
These notes follow the grammar progression in the supplied Kanrin / Minna no Nihongo material. Each rule is summarized in English and paired with a fresh Japanese example, reading support, and translation.
Read the rule, cover the translation, and say the Japanese example aloud once.
で marks the instrument, method, or language used to perform an action.
I eat rice with chopsticks.
Use this pattern to ask how a word is said in another language.
What is arigatō in English?
に marks the recipient when the subject gives something to another person.
I gave my younger sister flowers.
に or から marks the source when the subject receives something. Use から for institutions.
I received a photo from a friend.
もう with a past verb means an expected action has already been completed.
I have already eaten lunch.
cut, slice
send
give
receive
lend
borrow
teach
learn
make [a telephone call]
hand, arm
chopsticks
spoon
knife
fork
scissors
personal computer
mobile phone, cell phone
New Year's greeting card
punch
stapler
Sellotape, Scotch tape, clear adhesive tape
rubber, eraser
paper
flower, blossom
shirt
present, gift
luggage, baggage, parcel
money
ticket
Christmas
(my) father
(my) mother
(someone else's) father (also used to address one's own father)
(someone else's) mother (also used to address one's own mother)
already
not yet
from now on, soon
What a nice [~]!
How nice of you to come. (lit. Welcome.)
Do come in.
May I? (lit. I commit an incivility.)
Won't you have [~]?/Would you like to have [~]? (used when offering something)
Thank you./I accept. (said before starting to eat or drink)
That was delicious. (said after eating or drinking)
Spain