location of action, means/tool, cause, time-span
Form: noun + で + verb. The で always attaches to the thing that provides the setting or the tool — never the object of the action itself.
Meaning: the where, how, or why of an action — the setting the action happens in, or the instrument used to do it.
Key uses:
- Location of action: 家で映画を見る watch a movie at home, レストランで食べる eat at a restaurant. Contrast with に (existence): 家にいる be at home.
- Means / tool: 鉛筆で書く write with a pencil, 英語で話す speak in English, 手で食べる eat with your hands.
- Mode of transport: 電車で行く go by train, 車で来る come by car.
- Cause / reason: 病気で休む take a day off due to illness, 雨で試合が中止になった the match was cancelled because of rain.
- Time span (how long an action takes): 10分で終わる finish in 10 minutes, 1週間で読んだ read it in a week.
vs. に: で is where the action happens; に is where something exists or the destination. 公園で遊ぶ play in the park (action) vs. 公園にいる be in the park (existence).
Furigana is above every kanji; the pattern is already filled in.
図書館＿＿勉強します。
I study at the library. (location of action)
箸＿＿食べます。
I eat with chopsticks. (means)
バス＿＿学校に行きます。
I go to school by bus. (mode of transport)