でMaterial or components
で marks the material, ingredient, or component used to make something. The marked item becomes part of the result.
What the marker tells you
The noun before で answers a question such as “What material was it made from?” or “What ingredients or parts were used?” A verb of making, building, or assembling normally follows.
Materials and ingredients
The material may be one substance or a combination of ingredients.
Components forming a whole
五つの木の部品で、このおもちゃを組み立てます。
We will assemble this toy from five wooden parts.
AnalyzeHere the marked items are separate parts that become the finished toy.
Material or tool?
Material で marks what becomes part of the result. The easily confused means use marks a tool or method that helps perform an action but does not become part of the result.
More examples
布で小さい袋を作りました。
I made a small bag out of cloth.
Analyze大工は木と石で家を建てました。
The carpenter built a house from wood and stone.
Analyze子どもたちは空き箱でロボットを作りました。
The children made a robot out of empty boxes.
Analyzeトマトときゅうりでサラダを作りましょう。
Let's make a salad with tomatoes and cucumbers.
Analyze銀で指輪を作っています。
They are making a ring out of silver.
Analyze紙と竹で小さなたこを作りました。
I made a small kite from paper and bamboo.
Analyze