In this JLPT N5 grammar lesson, we’ll learn how to express the means or method by which an action is performed using the particle ～で. This includes both transportation (e.g., “by bus”) and tools/methods (e.g., “with chopsticks”).
📘 I. Grammar Pattern 1: N で 行きます（いきます） – Go by N (means of transportation)
➤ Usage:
Use this pattern when talking about how you travel or commute—by train, by car, etc.
➤ Structure:
[Transportation] で 行きます。
→ I go by [transport].
➤ Example Sentences:
- バスで 学校へ 行きます。
→ I go to school by bus. - 電車で 東京へ 行きます。
→ I go to Tokyo by train. - 飛行機で 北海道へ 行きます。
→ I go to Hokkaido by airplane. - 自転車で 会社へ 行きます。
→ I go to work by bicycle. - 歩いて 駅へ 行きます。
→ I walk to the station. (Note: For “walk”, use 歩いて, not ～で.)
📘 II. Grammar Pattern 2: N で します – Do something using N (tool or method)
➤ Usage:
Use this to express the tool, language, or method used to do something.
➤ Structure:
[Tool/method] で [verb]
→ Do something using [tool/method]
➤ Example Sentences:
- はしで ごはんを 食べます。
→ I eat rice with chopsticks. - ナイフで 肉を 切ります。
→ I cut meat with a knife. - ペンで 名前を 書きます。
→ I write my name with a pen. - 日本語で 手紙を 書きます。
→ I write a letter in Japanese. - パソコンで レポートを 作ります。
→ I make a report using a computer.
🧠 Grammar Notes
- で indicates the means, tools, or methods used to perform an action.
- Use
歩いてfor “on foot” – not歩きで. - This
でis different from theでthat marks location of action (e.g. 図書館で読みます).
📝 Practice Questions
1. I go to the supermarket by bicycle.
- A. 自転車で スーパーへ 行きます。
- B. 自転車に スーパーを 行きます。
✅ Answer: A
2. I eat noodles with chopsticks.
- A. フォークで ラーメンを 食べます。
- B. はしで ラーメンを 食べます。
✅ Answer: B
3. I write a letter in English.
- A. 英語に 手紙を 書きます。
- B. 英語で 手紙を 書きます。
✅ Answer: B
🧩 Vocabulary List
| Word | Hiragana | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 電車 | でんしゃ | Train |
| 飛行機 | ひこうき | Airplane |
| 自転車 | じてんしゃ | Bicycle |
| 歩いて | あるいて | On foot |
| パソコン | パソコン | Computer |
| はし | はし | Chopsticks |
| ナイフ | ナイフ | Knife |
| 書きます | かきます | To write |
📌 Summary
- ～で is used to indicate the means or tools used to perform an action.
- It answers questions like “How did you go?” or “With what did you do it?”
- This is an essential JLPT N5 grammar point for beginners in Japanese.
🔗 Related Grammar & Vocabulary
- JLPT N5 Grammar List – 60 Essential Grammar Points
- 何/誰/どこ/いつ/どう/どうして/どの/どんな – How to Ask Questions
- JLPT N5 Japanese Comparison Structures
- JLPT N5 600 + Vocabulary List(Part 1)
- JLPT N5 600 + Vocabulary List(Part 2)
- JLPT N5 How to Express Time in Japanese
- JLPT N5 Grammar: ここ / そこ / あそこ – This Place / That Place / That Place Over There
- JLPT N5 Grammar: この / その / あの
- これは / それは / あれは
- JLPT N5 Grammar: ～をほしがっている
- JLPT N5 Grammar: ～たい – Want to Do Something
Most Viewed Posts
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
