In Particle 4, you learned that “de” is a particle used to indicate the places where kinetic actions are performed, such as “I study at the library” where “at the library” is expressed with “de.” However, “de” has another important meaning and function as a particle. It also serves an instrumental function, meaning it can be used to indicate the means or tools by which an action is performed. For example, “I write with a pen” would use “de” to indicate “with a pen.”

“De” originally has the function of indicating “using” something. This includes its instrumental, means, and way functions. For example, “I write with a pen” uses “de” to indicate the means (the pen) by which the writing is done. Similarly, “I go by bus” uses “de” to indicate the means of transportation (the bus).