JLPT N5 grammar comparison
を (direct object) vs で (place of action, means, total)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
The difference
From the を (direct object) lesson
で (place of action, means, total): で marks WHERE an action happens (公園で遊ぶ); を marks the space you move through (公園を歩く).
From the で (place of action, means, total) lesson
を (direct object): を marks the place moved through (公園を歩く); で marks the place of an activity (公園で遊ぶ).
Side by side
を (direct object)
o (object) · JLPT N5
- Meaning
- Marks the direct object of a transitive verb; also the place passed through / left.
- Formation
Noun + を + action verb (本を読む)Place + を + 出る／出発する (家を出る)Place + を + 歩く／散歩する／渡る (道を渡る)
パンを食べます。
パンを たべます。
I eat bread.
公園を散歩します。
こうえんを さんぽします。
I walk through the park.
で (place of action, means, total)
de (place of action, means) · JLPT N5
- Meaning
- "at / in (where an action happens)", "by / with (means)", "in (language)", "for (total)".
- Formation
Place + で + action verb (学校で勉強します)Vehicle / tool + で (電車で、ペンで)Language + で (英語で)Quantity + で (三つで五百円、一人で)
レストランで昼ご飯を食べます。
レストランで ひるごはんを たべます。
I eat lunch at a restaurant.
バスで学校へ行きます。
バスで がっこうへ いきます。
I go to school by bus.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between を (direct object) and で (place of action, means, total)?
で marks WHERE an action happens (公園で遊ぶ); を marks the space you move through (公園を歩く).
When do you use で (place of action, means, total) instead of を (direct object)?
を marks the place moved through (公園を歩く); で marks the place of an activity (公園で遊ぶ).