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Both pictures show someone studying. Look at the rooms: how do the places differ while the action stays the same?

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 1

〜で〜ます~ de ~masu

place where action happens

Use 「〜で〜ます」 to name where an action takes place, such as studying at home or in a library.

How it works

Both pictures show someone studying. Look at the rooms: how do the places differ while the action stays the same?
To say where an action happens, mark the place with 「で」. In the pictures, the places where the person studies are home and the library.
Put 「で」 after the noun naming the place, then state the action. 「家で勉強します。」 means “I study at home.”
If the place changes to the library, say 「図書館で勉強します。」. The action stays the same; only the place changes.
「教室で何をしますか。」 asks what you do in the classroom. Answer 「日本語を勉強します。」: “I study Japanese.”

「教室で」 gives the place where you study; 「日本語を」 gives what you study. Notice their different roles.

The 「へ」 you learned earlier marks the direction you go in. Here, 「で」 marks where you perform an action. Keep the two distinct.

Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
I will study Japanese in the classroom.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
教室何をしますか。
What do you do in the classroom?