…で
…de
The English phrase 'via' (meaning 'by means of' or 'using a medium') can be expressed in Japanese as …で (…de) or …によって.
Meaning: by (means of), using (a medium) (prep)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| …で | …de |
| …によって | …ni yotte |
In Japanese, these forms are used to indicate the tool, method or medium used to perform an action. You use …で for common tools or modes of transport, such as 'by bus' (バスで). Use …によって when expressing more abstract means or formal methods, such as 'by means of a survey' (調査によって).
Which one should you use?
…で is the standard, everyday way to express 'by (means of)'. In contrast, …によって is used to indicate the means or cause in more formal contexts, such as in news reports or formal writing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle …で functions to indicate the tool, method or means used to perform an action. The phrase …によって is used to indicate the means or the cause of something.
How do you pronounce it?
…de
Did you know?
- Using で to describe a language, such as 'in Japanese' (日本語で), treats the language as the tool or medium used to communicate.
- If you are traveling 'via' a specific route, Japanese speakers often switch from these particles to using the particle を (wo) to indicate passing through a space. Using 'via' in the sense of a path follows different spatial logic.
- While …で is the standard way to say 'by means of', it is also the exact same particle used to indicate the location where an action takes place. This can lead to ambiguity in sentences if the context of 'tool' versus 'place' is not clear.
Examples in context
- アメリカへのフライトはヨーロッパ経由（けいゆ）で行（い）きます。I will fly to America via Europe.
- 映画（えいが）を見（み）るために友達（ともだち）の家（いえ）を経由（けいゆ）して行（い）きます。I will go via my friend's house to watch the movie.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “via” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
