JPEDLAB iconJPEDLAB
Save history

Create an account and play

Explore first, then save your progress whenever you are ready. No email address is required.

Start free
Read as articleCards
See the whole course›Beginner 1›Directions & Requests

Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 1

〜で〜ます~ de ~masu

tool or means used

Put a tool or means before で to say what you use to perform an action, such as scissors or a car.

Start the interactive lessonIllustrated cards, audio and speaking practice

How it works

  1. What is used to cut things and eat cake? In the picture, the word before 「で」 tells you which tool is used.

    What is used to cut things and eat cake? In the picture, the word before 「で」 tells you which tool is used.

  2. Put the tool’s name before 「で」, then add the action. This tells us what is used to do it.

    Put the tool’s name before 「で」, then add the action. This tells us what is used to do it.

  3. When eating cake, the fork is the tool, so use 「で」. The cake is what you eat, so use 「を」.

    When eating cake, the fork is the tool, so use 「で」. The cake is what you eat, so use 「を」.

  4. The car in the example is a means of travel, even though it is not a tool you hold. 「で」 can mark it too.

    The car in the example is a means of travel, even though it is not a tool you hold. 「で」 can mark it too.

  5. 「車で行きます」 simply means going by car. The speaker may be driving or riding in someone else’s car.

    「車で行きます」 simply means going by car. The speaker may be driving or riding in someone else’s car.

Example sentences

  • はさみhasamiでde切ります。きりますkirimasu

    Cut with scissors.

  • 車くるまkurumaでde行きます。いきますikimasu

    Go by car.

In a conversation

  • A
    このナイフないふで肉にくを切っきってください。ください

    A: Please cut the meat with this knife.

  • B
    分かりました。わかりましたいくつに切りますきりますか。か

Check yourself

  1. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  3. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    I cut the meat with a knife.

  4. Level 3 · Use

    What goes in the blank?

     テープを切ります。

    I cut tape with scissors.

More grammar in this theme

  • 〜で〜ますtool or means used

Keep practising

Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme

B: I understand. How many pieces should I cut it into?

  • A
    どのフォークふぉーくを使いますつかいますか。か

    A: Which fork will you use?

  • B
    このフォークふぉーくでケーキけーきを食べます。たべます

    B: Use this fork to eat the cake.

  • A
    包丁ほうちょうで何なにを切りますきりますか。か

    A: What will you cut with a kitchen knife?

  • B
    野菜やさいと肉にくを切ります。きります

    B: I'll cut vegetables and meat.

  • A
    はさみで何なにを切りますきりますか。か

    A: What will you cut with scissors?

  • B
    テープてーぷと紐ひもを切ります。きります

    B: I'll cut tape and string.

〜は〜にありますwhere an object is located
〜は〜にいますwhere a person or animal is
〜に〜があります／いますwhat is present at a place
〜てくださいpolite request to do
〜方way to do something
どの〜／どれwhich one or which item
〜ていますaction in progress
〜ましょうかoffer or suggestion
まだあります／もうありませんstill left or all gone
誰が〜ますかask who does it
Previous〜てください
Next〜方