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Grammar detail: 何で (なにで)

何で (なにで)
by what (mode of transport)?
174 words
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なに
何
で
+
directional verb
means
by what means of transport ~
なに
何
で is a common way to ask how someone travels somewhere.
なに
何
で NOT
なん
何
で
Take care not to confuse
なに
何
で, with
なん
何
で. While the kanji for both is identical, the meaning is vastly different. When asking about someone's mode of transport use:
なに
何
で行きますか。
How do you go/get (to...)?
NOT
なん
何
で行きますか。
Why are you going (to...)?
なに
何
で
コンサートに
い
行
きます
か。
How are you getting to the concert?
なに
何
で
かえ
帰
る
?
How are you getting home?
ここになにで
き
来
た
の?
How did you come here?
Saying how you get somewhere
The grammar structure for describing the means of transport by which one may travel is relatively straightforward. Simply place the particle で after the mode of transport.
mode of transport + で
バスでby bus
でんしゃ
電車
で
by train
くるま
車
で
by car
じてんしゃ
自転車
で
by bicycle
ちかてつ
地下鉄
で
by subway
ひこうき
飛行機
で
by plane
When responding to the question -
なに
何
で + directional verb, follow this pattern and use the same directional verb as the speaker.
Question
なに
何
で
コンサートに
い
行
きますか。
How are you getting to the concert.
Answer
でんしゃ
電車
で
い
行
きます。
I'm going there by train.
For practice of this grammar, see our topic lesson on "Transportation".
Transportation
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Kanji used in this grammar

何
カ   なに    なん what?   
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行
コウ   ギョウ   アン   ゆく    いく to go   おこなう to take place   
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電
デン    electricity   
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車
シャ   くるま car   
自
ジ   シ   みずから self   
転
テン   ころがる to roll (intr.)   ころがす to roll (tr.)   ころげる to roll about   ころぶ to fall over   
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地
チ   ジ    ground   
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下
カ   ゲ   した below, under   しも bottom part   もと under (influence)   さげる to lower, to reduce   さがる to be lowered   くだる to descend   くだす to judge   くださる to give   おろす to drop off (passenger)   おりる to get off (train)   
鉄
テツ    iron   
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飛
ヒ   とぶ to fly   とばす to let fly   
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機
キ    machine   はた loom   
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帰
キ   かえる to return   かえす to send back, give back   
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来
ライ   くる to come   きたる to be forthcoming   きたす to induce   
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