しゅうじん は スプーン で トンネル を ほった。
shūjin wa supūn de tonneru o hotta.
The prisoner dug a tunnel with a spoon.
Today, we’re gon’ talk about somethin’ real simple but real important: Noun + で (de). You feel me? This little word, de, is like the key to the streets. It tells you how we do things, where we do things, and with what we do things. It’s the secret sauce, the one that tells you all the business, so pay attention.
The main gist of de is that it’s a particle that points to the means, method, instrument, or location of action. Think of it as the “by,” “with,” “at,” or “using” of the streets. It’s what connects the action to the thing that makes it happen. You wanna ride in style? You gotta say you’re rollin’ by a certain ride. You wanna get some intel? You gotta say you’re doin’ it with a certain guy. That’s what de does. It makes all the connections clear, so there ain’t no misunderstandings. It’s the difference between sayin’ “I hit ’em” and “I hit ’em with a bat.” See? Details matter in this game.
This grammar pattern is a breeze, even for a fresh-faced rookie. Just slap that de right after the noun, and you’re golden.
| English | Hiragana | Example |
| By means of (transportation) | で (de) | バス で (basu de) |
| With (an instrument) | で (de) | ナイフ で (naifu de) |
| At (a location of action) | で (de) | コンビニ で (konbini de) |
The table above is pretty simple, right? It’s just a quick look at how we put this together. The real deal is that de is a post-positional particle, which just means it comes after the noun. It’s always tagged on to the end of a noun to show its role in the sentence. There’s no fancy changes to the noun itself, no funny business. It’s like putting a chain on your watch—the watch stays the same, but now it’s got an extra piece that tells you how it’s connected.
Think of de like a getaway car. The verb is the actual bank robbery—the action. The noun before de is the getaway car itself—the means. You don’t just rob the bank, you rob the bank with a getaway car. That car, that thing that helps you do the action, that’s what de points to. It’s what makes the whole operation work. Without the car, you’re stuck, and the action ain’t goin’ nowhere. Without de, the sentence is missing the most important part—the how.
This is where we get into the words you’re gonna need to survive on the streets.
みつばいにん (mitsubainin)
English: Smuggler.
A smuggler ain’t no regular cat. This dude is movin’ weight across borders, hustlin’ stuff that ain’t supposed to be there. Think of ’em as the ultimate middleman for the black market—gettin’ the goods from point A to point B, no questions asked. They stay low-key, move in the shadows, and know all the secret routes. They’re the real players in the underground economy, you dig?
こっきょう (kokkyou)
English: Border.
A border ain’t just a line on a map. It’s that imaginary wall, that checkpoint you gotta cross to get from one country to another. For a hustler, this is the main event. It’s where the risk is highest and the paper is stacked. Gettin’ past that border is the whole game—if you make it, you’re set. If you get caught, it’s a wrap.
こえる (koeru)
English: To cross; to go over.
This ain’t just walkin’ across the street, man. To cross means you’re gettin’ over a line, breakin’ a barrier, whether it’s the law, a border, or even a rival’s territory. When you say you’re gonna “cross” someone, it means you’re about to step on their turf, challenge ’em directly. It’s a move you gotta make with no hesitation, with confidence, like you own the whole block.
むせん (musen)
English: Radio; wireless.
A radio is more than just somethin’ you listen to tunes on. In our world, a walkie-talkie is a lifeline, a way to stay in touch with your crew when you’re on the move. It’s all about communication, about keepin’ everyone on the same page during a job, or lettin’ your people know when the heat’s comin’. It’s the silent connection that keeps the whole operation tight.
わいろ (wairo)
English: Bribe.
Alright, listen close. A bribe is what you use to grease the wheels, to make a problem disappear before it even starts. You give a little somethin’ extra—some cash, some favors, whatever—to someone in power to make ’em look the other way. It’s how you get out of trouble, get the hookup, or make sure your business runs smooth without any interruptions. It’s a negotiation, a favor for a favor, all to stay out of the pen.
Peep these sentences. They’re all business, but with a little humor mixed in. Just like the streets, you gotta laugh to keep from cryin’.
かれ は ボート で こっきょう を こえた。
kare wa bōto de kokkyō o koeta.
He crossed the border by boat.
けいさつ は むせん で たがいに はなす。
keisatsu wa musen de tagai ni hanasu.
The police talk to each other by radio.
みつばいにん は レストラン で きゃく に あう。
mitsubainin wa resutoran de kyaku ni au.
The smuggler meets the client at the restaurant.
かれ は パソコン で にせ の しょるい を つくった。
kare wa pasokon de nise no shorui o tsukutta.
He made fake documents with a computer.
ターゲット の いえ まで じてんしゃ で いく つもり だ。
taagetto no ie made jitensha de iku tsumori da.
I plan to go to the target’s house by bicycle.
ギャンブル は カジノ で たのしめる。
gyanburu wa kajino de tanoshimeru.
You can enjoy gambling at the casino.
けいかく は えんぴつ で かかれていた。
keikaku wa enpitsu de kakarete ita.
The plan was written with a pencil.
わいろ は げんきん で しはらわれる だろう。
wairo wa genkin de shiharawareru darou.
The bribe will probably be paid in cash.
ひみつ の かいぎ は、この バー で ひらかれる。
himitsu no kaigi wa, kono bā de hirakareru.
The secret meeting is held at this bar.
けいむしょ の なか で、てがみ で なかま に れんらく する。
keimusho no naka de, tegami de nakama ni renraku suru.
In the prison, I contact my crew by letter.
Now you know how to talk like you’re in the know. You gotta handle your business right. Don’t be a fool, and don’t get caught slippin’. Peace out.
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