で in Japanese, The Particle that can do Almost Anything
で in Japanese is a particle that has several different functions. It can tell you the method something is done, it can tell you where or why something happens, or even the duration of time. Let’s take a closer look
INDEX
How Something is Done
The most common use of で is to tell you how something is done. で in Japanese represents all types of methods. For example, what tool is used for an action, how something is made, the manner someone moves, and so on.
https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/
裸足で歩く
to walk bare-foot
木で作られたおもちゃ
a toy made of wood
英語で書く
to write in English
ペンで書く
to write with a pen
Where Something Happens
The second purpose of で is explaining where something happens.
昨日この交差点で二つの車が事故った
two cars got in an accident at this intersection yesterday
この町で生まれた
I was born in this town
The Reason Why
Here で tells the reason for something. The word or phrase before で is the cause for what comes after that.
病気で学校を休んだ
I took off school because I was sick
When Something Ends and Duration
When talking about time, で lets you know when something ends or represents a period of time.
この家に引っ越して今日で1年になる
It is one year today since I moved to this house
就職して一か月で辞めた
I quit my job after a month
Measurements and Units
Finally, で can also compare things to each other such as currency or different units for measurement. It also tells you according to what standard something is based on.
キャベツは2キロで60円
Cabbage is 60 yen per kilogram
きゅうりは2個で1ドル
Cucumbers are 2 for a dollar
So that’s で in Japanese. If you want to learn more Japanese I reviewed a dictionary of grammar series which I personally recommend and use myself.
I also have several other posts on various topics on Japanese Universe if you are interested.
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