日: 2026年2月12日

We have already learned two functions of particle “de”.

1. What means of transportation is used when making movement.

example;

A: Sato-san wa Nani de Kaisha e Ikimasuka. (Ms.Sato, how do you get to the company?)

B: Watashi wa Chikatetsu de Kaisha e Ikimasu. (I go to the company by subway.)

2. Where the action is taking place; [Place] de [Verb] masu.

example;

A: Satou-san wa Doko de Kasa o Kaimashitaka. (Ms.Sato, where did you buy the umbrella?)

B: Watashi wa Kombini de Kasa o Kaimashita. (I bought the umbrella at a convenience store.)

Today’s new function of “de” is similar to “1.” in respect of “what to use for your action”.

3. What you use when making action; [tool] de [Verb] masu.

In order to show examples for sentences of this type, let me introduce several new words.

– Empitsu: noun; pencil,

– Bohrupen: noun; ballpoint pen

– Saimpen: noun; felt-tip pen

– Shaapupenshiru: nouns, mechanical pencils

– Ji: noun; character

– Kakimasu: transitive verb; write

Practice the following two conversations;

A: Satou-san wa Empitsu de Ji o Kakimasuka, Shaapupenshiru de kakimasuka.

(Ms. Sato, do you write a character by a pencil or a mechanical pencil?)

B: Watashi wa Shaapupenshiru de Ji o Kakimasu.

(I write a character by a mechanical pencil.)

A: Suzuki-san wa Nani de Ji o Kakimasuka.

(Mr. Suzuki, by what do you write a character?)

B: Watashi wa Bohrupen to Saimpen de Ji o Kakimasu.

(I write a character by a ballpoint pen and felt-tip pen.)

<この投稿は“スリーエーネットワーク、みんなの日本語 初級I 第2版, 第7課A1”の内容を参照しています。>