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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
+
directional verb
means
by what means of transport ~
なに
で is a common way to ask how someone travels somewhere.
なに
で NOT
なん
Take care not to confuse
なに
で, with
なん
で. While the kanji for both is identical, the meaning is vastly different. When asking about someone's mode of transport use:
なに
で行きますか。
How do you go/get (to...)?
NOT
なん
で行きますか。
Why are you going (to...)?
なに
コンサート
きます

How are you getting to the concert?
なに
かえ

How are you getting home?
ここなにで

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by bus
でんしゃ
電車
by train
くるま
by car
じてんしゃ
自転車
by bicycle
ちかてつ
地下鉄
by subway
ひこうき
飛行機
by plane
When responding to the question -
なに
で + directional verb, follow this pattern and use the same directional verb as the speaker.
Question
なに
コンサートに
きますか。
How are you getting to the concert.
Answer
でんしゃ
電車
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

カ   なに    なん what?   
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コウ   ギョウ   アン   ゆ    い to go   おこな to take place   
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デン    electricity   
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シャ   くるま car   
ジ   シ   みずか self   
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 to fall over   
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チ   ジ    ground   
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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 to descend   くだ to judge   くださる to give   おろす to drop off (passenger)   おりる to get off (train)   
テツ    iron   
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ヒ   と to fly   とばす to let fly   
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キ    machine   はた loom   
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キ   かえ to return   かえ to send back, give back   
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ライ   く to come   きた to be forthcoming   きた to induce   
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