Learn Japanese grammar: で (de) has various meanings, including in; at; on; by; with; via; and even because.
The meaning changes based on the context of the sentence. Let’s look at some basic examples.
Meaning 1) で – place of action
Indicates the place where an action occurs. In this pattern, the preceding noun must be a location.
- 学校で日本語を勉強する。
- がっこうでにほんごをべんきょうする。
- gakkou de nihongo wo benkyou suru.
- I study Japanese at school.
Meaning 2) で – a means or method
Indicates a means or method. Similar to “by”, “with”, or “via”
- 車で行く。
- くるまでいく。
- kuruma de iku.
- I will go by/via car.
Meaning 3) で – a total amount
Indicates a total amount of something (time, money, etc).
- 1時間で終わります。
- いちじかんでおわります。
- ichijikan de owarimasu.
- I’ll finish (in total) in one hour.
Meaning 4) で – reason for action
- 病気で今日休みます。
- びょうきできょうやすみます。
- byouki de kyou yasumimasu.
- Because I’m sick, I’m taking today off..
This meaning is very similar to the grammar ので (node)
Click the image to download the flashcard.
Download all N5 grammar flashcards.
Download our complete
JLPT N5 Grammar Master E-book.
Access ALL extra downloads, ebooks, and study guides by supporting JLPT Sensei on Patreon.
で - Example Sentences 例文
Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.
Click the below red button to toggle off and and on all of the hints, and you can click on the buttons individually to show only the ones you want to see.
Example #1
じてんしゃで行きます。
Example #2
みんなで行こう！
Example #3
たまに一人でカラオケに行きます。
Example #4
なにかの理由で彼は虫が怖いんだ。
Example #5
そのシャツどこで買いました？
Example #6
駅で会いましょうね。
Example #7
ここで電話しないでください。
Example #8
どこで日本語を学びましたか？
Example #9
YouTubeで日本語を勉強します。
Vocabulary List 語彙
| Kanji 漢字 | Kana カナ | English 英語 |
|---|---|---|
| 自転車 | じてんしゃ | bicycle |
| 行く | いく | to go |
| みんな | everyone | |
| たまに | sometimes; occasionally | |
| 一人で | ひとりで | alone |
| なにか | something; for some reason | |
| 理由 | りゆう | reason |
| 虫 | むし | bug |
| 怖い | こわい | scary |
| シャツ | shirt | |
| 買う | かう | to buy |
| 駅 | えき | station |
| 会う | あう | to meet |
| 電話 | でんわ | phone; phone call |
| 日本語 | にほんご | Japanese |
| 学ぶ | まなぶ | to learn |
View all JLPT N5 Vocabulary Lessons
View all JLPT N5 Grammar Lessons
JLPT N5 Study Guide
JLPT N5 Grammar Master [e-book]
Complete Study Guide
This e-book includes every grammar point you need to know in order to pass the JLPT N5, with detailed usage notes and numerous example sentences.
Pages: 192
N5 Grammar Flashcards
Full Batch Download
Download link includes:
- Print-ready PDF of square flashcards with cut-out guides (see preview)
- Full set of high quality .png image flashcards
- JLPT N5 Grammar 文法 square size (80 images)
- JLPT N5 Grammar 文法 rectangle size (80 images)