にて

にて is the written, formal form of the particle で. It goes after a noun and marks where something happens or how it is done. You meet it in notices, announcements, invitations and business email; in conversation you say で.

Only the particle で

にて replaces で the particle – place and means. The で of a な-adjective or of です joining two clauses is a different word and stays as it is.

• × 静かにて、広い → 静かで、広い

Spoken Japanese has no use for にて, even in polite speech.

• × 駅にて待ってるね → 駅で待ってるね

Usage notes

These go beyond place and means.

Cause in notices

A notice gives the reason for a cancellation or a change with にて, the way speech uses で.

A point in time

After a time or いじょう以上, にて marks where something ends.