アプリで漢字を練習します。
I practise kanji with an app.
アプリ is the means.
Daily Japanese
With or at?｜手段の「で」・場所の「で」
Use で to name a method or tool as well as the place where an action happens. Ask どうやって when you specifically want to know the method.
『アプリで勉強します』は方法、『図書館で勉強します』は場所を伝えます。
Name the method
Put a tool or method before で: アプリで、ネットで、本で. Keep the verb to show what the person does with it.
『アプリで練習します』では、アプリを使うことを伝えます。
Name the place
A place followed by で can tell where an action takes place: 図書館で読みます. The same particle has a different role.
『図書館で読みます』では、読む場所を伝えます。
Ask about the method
Use どうやって勉強しますか to ask how someone studies. A question with どこで often asks about a place, though the answer can sometimes mention a method.
方法をはっきり聞きたいときは、『どうやって』を使います。
Read the whole sentence
Do not translate every で as by or at. Identify the noun and the action. This lesson covers method and action location, not every use of で.
『電話で話します』と『家で話します』では、電話と家の役割が違います。
Examples / 例
These scenes and exercises are fictional examples written for this lesson.
図書館で漢字を練習します。
I practise kanji at the library.
図書館 is the location.
どうやって日本語を勉強しますか。
How do you study Japanese?
Ask about a method.
友達と電話で話します。
I talk with a friend on the phone.
電話 is the means; 友達 is the person.
Practice / 練習
Say your answer before opening the explanation.
Q1. Choose a method: アプリで / 図書館で。
Answer and explanation
アプリで。
An app is a tool; a library is a place.
Q2. Ask specifically how someone studies Japanese.
Answer and explanation
どうやって日本語を勉強しますか。
どうやって asks about the method.
Q3. In 家で本を読みます, does 家で name a place or a tool?
Answer and explanation
場所です。
家 is a place.
Q4. Say that you practise with a book.
Answer and explanation
本で練習します。
Put the means before で.
Words / 言葉
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 手段 | means; method |
| 場所 | place |
| 図書館 | library |
| 電話 | telephone |
| 練習します | practise |
A phrase to use
どうやって練習しますか。
How do you practise?
Sources
Grammar reference: The Japan Foundation, Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan, Elementary 1. Explanations are concise original summaries; practice examples are original.