JLPT N5 Grammar –  Mastering “で” and “を”: How to Express Places in Japanese

Table of Contents

1. Using “で” and “を” to Talk About Places
2. The Role of “で”
3. The Role of “を”
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: How should I use “で” and “を” differently?
In the examples below, why are some sentences natural and others unnatural?
◯ 公園こうえんで走はしります　◯ 公園こうえんを走はしります
◯ ジムで走はしります　× ジムを走はしります

A: “で” shows the place where an action happens, and “を” shows the route of movement.
“公園こうえんを走はしります” is natural because it gives the image of running through the park.
But “ジムを走はしります” sounds unnatural because a gym is not usually seen as a route.

The Role of “で”

“で” shows the place where an action happens.
To understand it easily, imagine that something is being done inside that place.

The Role of “を”

“を” is used to show a point or path of movement.
It is commonly used with verbs of movement, such as “run” or “walk”. In this case, the place is not where the action happens, but rather something the subject passes through.

[Examples of movement verbs]
歩あるく(to walk), 渡わたる(to cross), 越こえる(to go over), 通とおる(to go through), 曲まがる(to turn) etc

Let’s Compare

So, what is the difference between “ジムで走はしります” (I run at the gym) and “ジムを走はしります” (I run through the gym)? Why does using “を” sound unnatural?

The verb “走はしる” (to run) refers to doing exercise inside the gym. In this case, the gym is seen as a place for doing an activity, not a place you pass through. That’s why “ジムを走はしります” sounds unnatural.

On the other hand, “公園こうえんを走はしります” (I run through the park) sounds natural because a park can be understood as a route or place you move through.
“公園こうえんで走はしります” simply means that the action of running takes place in the park.

In short, “を” is only used with places like roads, bridges, and parks when the speaker sees them as paths or routes of movement.

Since a gym is considered a place where an action is done, it’s natural to use “で” instead.

Summary

• “で” shows the place where an action happens.
• “を” shows a route or a place that someone passes through.
• “を” is used only with places like roads, parks, or plazas—locations that give the image of passing through.

Quiz

Select the appropriate particle for the following sentences.

Click on the question to reveal the answer.

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Comment for any questions!