で As “By Way Of,” “Via,” “Using”
“The torment of precautions often exceeds the dangers to be avoided.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
This で is very similar to the previous で. The difference is pretty subtle.
で #1 indicates the location in which something is happening
で #2 shows when something or someone is using something else to do something
In a way, even with で #1, you’re using a location to do something, so it’s all kind of the same thing. It’s the translation that comes out a bit different, and that has more to do with context. When something is being done at or in a location, it’s で #1. で #2 can sometimes be a location, but most often it is a thing or person. Let’s look at some simple で examples:
子供で つくりました。
Made via children.
aわたし の あしで アタックした。
I attacked using my feet.
aみちで きた。
I came via the street.
Can you see the similarities between this one and the previous で? It’s a little different, but they’re still kind of the same thing, if you look at it from the right angle. The main difference, which is the main thing I want you to get from this page, is that with this で you’re doing something with something (or someone) else. Occassionally that could be a place, but you’d be doing something with that place rather than doing something at that place.
aレストランで フォークで たべました。
At the restaurant (I) ate using a fork.
Both the で particles you’ve learned were in that one sentence – do you see the difference?
We’re going to practice these a little on the next page, but be sure you mainly know the difference between the first two で particles before moving on. We’ll practice more at the end of the chapter too, so no frets if you’re not perfect yet.