Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 6: 10/16

～て (Means and Manner)

By, With, On, By means of, ~ing with

Structure

Verb［て］+ Phrase
Noun + で + Phrase

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About Verb[て]・Noun[で] + B

The conjunction particle て, or the case marking particle で are often used to highlight when something is being 'used'. The thing being used does not necessarily need to indicate a tool, but can also indicate a circumstance/situation. In these cases, '(A) で (B)' translates as 'with/by means of (A), (B)'.
  • 寝坊(ねぼう)をしたので慌(あわ)てて準備(じゅんび)をした。
    Since I overslept, I got ready in a flurry.
  • 毎日(まいにち)泳(およ)いでトレーニングをしています。
    I train by swimming every day.
  • 父(ちち)は車(くるま)で仕事(しごと)に行(い)く。
    My father goes to work by car.
  • 私(わたし)はハサミで野菜(やさい)を切(き)ります。
    I cut my vegetables using scissors.
Fun Fact
With て (and で), the nuance is quite often that '(A) allowed/led to (B)'. This may be a simple sequence of events, or may be through the direct use of a tool/situation. The nuance that is being highlighted will always depend on the (B) phrase. Due to this, it is important to always read the (B) clause, before deciding what the speaker is trying to convey.

Examples

  • フライパンを使(つか)って、料理(りょうり)をします。

    I am making a meal with a frying pan.

  • 洗(あら)っていない手(て)で目(め)や鼻(はな)などを触(さわ)ってはいけません。

    You must not touch your eyes and nose with unwashed hands.

  • 現代人(げんだいじん)は絵文字(えもじ)を使(つか)ってＳＮＳやメールなどで感情(かんじょう)を表(あらわ)すことができる。

    Modern people can express emotions via social networking, mail, etc. by using emoji.

  • けいまくんは自転車(じてんしゃ)に乗(の)って学校(がっこう)に行(い)っています。

    Keima goes to school by bike.

  • お祖母(ばあ)さん：「はるこちゃん、どうやってスマホで写真(しゃしん)をとるの？」
    孫(まご)、はるこ：「こうやって。(撮(と)り方(かた)を示(しめ)す）」

    Grandmother: 'Haruko, how do I take photos with my smartphone?'
    Granddaughter, Haruko: 'Like this.' (Showing how to take photos)

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Verb[て]・Noun[で] + B – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

  • Superpnut

    Superpnut

    I don’t really understand the header for this grammar point.
    I think I have at least a basic working knowledge of て and how it normally works but…I’m really not getting what the header means. And by header I mean

    Means/manner + て-form ・で
    and also
    Verb[て] + B (Means・Manner)

    I’m just really not picking up on what you guys are trying to say with the header

  • nekoyama

    nekoyama

    It’s just the structure of the grammar from left to right. E.g.

    Means/Manner て-form B (the main action)
    フライパンを使う 使う → 使って 料理をします
    use a frying pan use → using a frying pan I am making a meal
  • Superpnut

    Superpnut

    OH okay thanks that’s way more clear

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