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

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Lesson notes · ≈ 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.

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

      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.

    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

    • 〜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
    • 〜で〜ますtool or means used
    • 〜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

    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
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    Beginner 1
    Directions & Requests
    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.