γ§Place of action / means / βbyβ
γ§ marks where an ACTION happens. If you do something (eat, study, work, play), the location is marked by γ§. γ§ is also used for MEANS/INSTRUMENT: γ§γγγγ§ (by train), γ―γγ§ (with chopsticks), γ«γ»γγγ§ (in Japanese). Quick rule: γ§ = where/how you DO the action.
Key points
Quick reminders for how to use it.
- Use γ§ for the location where you do an action.
- Use γ§ for means/transport/instrument (by/with).
- γ« vs γ§: γ« often marks existence/destination; γ§ marks action location.
Patterns
Common structures youβll see.
γγ§ γγΉγΎγγ
~ de tabemasu.
Eat at ~.
γγ§ γΉγγγγγγΎγγ
~ de benkyou shimasu.
Study at ~.
γγ§ γ―γγγγΎγγ
~ de hatarakimasu.
Work at ~.
γγ§ γγγΎγγ
~ de ikimasu.
Go by ~.
γγ§ γ―γͺγγΎγγ
~ de hanashimasu.
Speak in ~ (language).
Common mistakes
Watch out for these.
- ΓUsing γ« for action location (γ« is more for existence/destination).
- ΓForgetting γ§ for transport/means (γ§γγγγ§, γγΉγ§).
- ΓMixing up: γγγ« γγΎγ (exist) vs γγγ§ γΎγ‘γΎγ (do action).
Examples
Real sentences with notes.
γ¬γΉγγ©γ³γ§ γγΉγΎγγ
resutoran de tabemasu.
I eat at a restaurant.
π Action (eat) happens at γ¬γΉγγ©γ³ β γ§.
γ¨γγγγγ§ γΉγγγγγγΎγγ
toshokan de benkyou shimasu.
I study at the library.
π Action location (study) β γ§.
γγ‘γ§ γγ¬γγ γΏγΎγγ
uchi de terebi o mimasu.
I watch TV at home.
π γγ‘ is where the action happens β γ§.
γγγ§ γγΉγ γΎγ‘γΎγγ
eki de basu o machimasu.
I wait for the bus at the station.
π Waiting is an action β location uses γ§.
γ§γγγγ§ γγ£γγγ« γγγΎγγ
densha de gakkou ni ikimasu.
I go to school by train.
π γ§ = means (by train). γ« = destination (to school).
γγΉγ§ γγγΎγγ
basu de ikimasu.
I go by bus.
π Transport/means β γ§.
γ―γγ§ γγΉγΎγγ
hashi de tabemasu.
I eat with chopsticks.
π Instrument/tool β γ§.
γ«γ»γγγ§ γ―γͺγγΎγγ
nihongo de hanashimasu.
I speak in Japanese.
π Language/medium β γ§.
Compare with
Related particles to review next.