(Joy reading at a spot [De] vs. Joy walking through a path [Wo])
“I walk in the park.”
In Japanese, do you use で (De) or を (Wo)?
Usually, “Location” is marked with “De”, but when we move through a place, we use “Wo”. Let’s learn this tricky N4 grammar with Joy and Ken!
🗣 Conversation Scene
Joy is talking about her exercise routine.
Joy
私（わたし）は毎朝（まいあさ）、この道（みち）で 散歩（さんぽ）します。
(I take a walk “at” this road every morning.)
(I take a walk “at” this road every morning.)
Ken
道（みち）を「通（とお）る」ときは、道（みち）を 散歩（さんぽ）します ですよ。
(When you “pass through” a road, it is “Michi O sanpo shimasu”.)
(When you “pass through” a road, it is “Michi O sanpo shimasu”.)
💡 Explanation
Both mark a place, but the verb type changes the particle.
Point 1: De (で) = Location of Action
Use De when you do an action AT a specific place (without moving away).
Verbs: Eat, Sleep, Read, Buy, Wait, Play.
- 図書館（としょかん）で 本（ほん）を 読（よ）みます。
(I read a book at the library.) - レストランで 食（た）べます。
(I eat at a restaurant.)
Point 2: Wo (を) = Path of Movement
Use Wo when you move THROUGH or ACROSS a place.
Verbs: Walk, Run, Fly, Cross, Pass.
- 公園（こうえん）を 散歩（さんぽ）します。
(I stroll through the park.) - 空（そら）を 飛（と）びたいです。
(I want to fly in [through] the sky.) - 橋（はし）を 渡（わた）ります。
(I cross the bridge.)
📊 Comparison Table
🚧 Joy’s Mistake
❌ Wrong: 交差点（こうさてん）で 渡（わた）ります。
(Crossing is a movement from side A to side B. It is a path.)
✅ Right: 交差点（こうさてん）を 渡（わた）ります。
(I cross the intersection.)
🔥 Practice Quiz
Tap to check the answer!
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