# をもって / をもちまして: by means of; with; on / at / as of (time) > Learn how to use をもって / をもちまして, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning by means of; with; on / at / as of (time), with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-o-motte-o-mochimashite/ **をもって / をもちまして** means **by means of; with; on / at / as of (time)**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express the instrument, reason, or formal demarcation of time—such as the end of a period or the opening of an event. This grammar point often appears in formal announcements, business correspondence, ceremonial speeches, and JLPT N1 listening passages. If you need to sound authoritative, respectful, or definitive when marking a deadline, introducing an action, or stating the means by which something is accomplished, **をもって / をもちまして** is indispensable.
When you hear をもちまして in an announcement, it signals the end of a period — formal, definitive, and final.
## What does をもって / をもちまして mean? Use **をもって / をもちまして** when you want to: - indicate the method, tool, or attitude used to achieve something - formally mark the start or end of a period (as of a date/time) - add a solemn, official tone to an action or statement Natural translations include: - by means of; with; on / at / as of (time) The best translation depends on the sentence—whether it highlights instrumentality, time, or formality. Try to notice the context first, then choose the English phrase that fits. ## How to form をもって / をもちまして **Noun + をもって** **Noun + をもちまして** (polite / formal equivalent) The grammar attaches directly to a noun. There is no conjugation; simply place the noun before the chosen variant.
N + をもって
N + をもちまして
Common nouns used with this pattern: - これ（this） - 本日(ほんじつ)（today） - 先月(せんげつ)（last month） - 誠意(せいい)（sincerity） - 努力(どりょく)（effort） - 開会(かいかい)（opening of a meeting） The polite form **をもちまして** often replaces **をもって** in keigo (honorific) situations, such as public announcements, business emails, or formal speeches. ## When is をもって / をもちまして used? Use **をもって / をもちまして** in situations like: - formal announcements (events, closures, deadlines) - writing business letters or official documents - expressing the means or attitude by which something is done - marking the end of a period with a definitive, respectful tone Tone and register: - strictly formal; never casual - **をもちまして** is particularly polite and is the default in customer-facing announcements - common in JLPT N1 listening (station announcements, speeches) and reading (formal letters, essays) ## をもって / をもちまして example sentences
本日ほんじつをもちまして、営業えいぎょうを終了しゅうりょういたします。
As of today, we are closing our business.
Formal announcement
これをもって、開会かいかいの挨拶あいさつとさせていただきます。
With this, I would like to make the opening address.
Ceremonial speech
彼(かれ)は努力どりょくをもって、難関なんかんを突破とっぱした。
He broke through the barrier by means of effort.
Instrument / means
身みをもって体験たいけんする。
To experience it firsthand (with one’s own body).
Idiomatic / formal
この書面しょめんをもって通知つうちします。
We will notify you by means of this document.
Business correspondence
先月せんげつをもちまして退職たいしょくいたしました。
I resigned as of last month.
Formal notice
誠意せいいをもって対応たいおうする。
To respond with sincerity.
Attitude / method
After reading each sentence, ask what job **をもって / をもちまして** is doing: signaling formal means, marking a temporal boundary, or lending gravity to an action. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation. ## Nuance of をもって / をもちまして The key nuance is **formality combined with deliberateness or finality**. This matters because learners often reach for simpler patterns like **で** or **によって** in situations that call for a higher register. **をもって** adds weight: it suggests that the means is chosen consciously, the timing is official, or the statement is ceremonial. - When used with time words, **をもって / をもちまして** implies a clean, often irreversible cutoff—a door closing. - When used with abstract nouns like 誠意(せいい) or 努力(どりょく), it elevates the statement to a solemn level: “acting *through* sincerity,” not just “acting sincerely.” - **をもちまして** is the go‑to form in keigo when addressing customers, audiences, or superiors; using the plain form in such contexts would sound abrupt or dismissive.
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Think of をもって as the “official stamp” of Japanese grammar—it turns a neutral statement into a formal declaration.
## をもって / をもちまして vs によって Both **をもって / をもちまして** and **によって** can be translated as “by means of,” but they operate in different registers and scopes.
をもって / をもちまして
Formal, deliberate, often conclusive
Used in set phrases, ceremonies, time-boundary announcements, and when the means is elevated (one’s body, sincerity, effort).
書面(しょめん)をもって通知(つうち)する
Notify by means of a document (official stamp)
vs
によって
Neutral to slightly formal, versatile
Broadly used for methods, causes, passive agents, and factual explanations. Can appear in both casual and formal writing, but lacks the ceremonial “closing” nuance.
書面(しょめん)によって通知(つうち)する
Notify by document (straightforward method)
Quick contrast: - これをもって閉会(へいかい)します。 → Formal, ceremonial “Let me now close the meeting.” - これによって閉会(へいかい)します。 → Sounds procedural, as if stating the rule that causes the meeting to end. The weight is different. If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence part of a speech, a letter, or an official deadline? The formal, conclusive nuance usually demands **をもって / をもちまして**. ## Common mistakes with をもって / をもちまして Watch out for these mistakes:
❌ 友達(ともだち)にもちましてプレゼントをあげた。
✅ 友達(ともだち)にプレゼントをあげた（友達(ともだち)を通じ(つうじ)て… etc.）
をもちまして is too formal for a casual gift to a friend; it creates an unnatural, stiff impression.
❌ 努力(どりょく)をもって、合格(ごうかく)した。
✅ 努力(どりょく)の結果(けっか)、合格(ごうかく)した。 / 努力(どりょく)によって合格(ごうかく)した。
When describing a natural cause‑effect result, によって or おかげで are more natural. をもって here feels heavy‑handed unless the context is a formal speech.
❌ 明日(あす)をもって終わり(おわり)ます。（casual conversation）
✅ 明日(あす)で終わり(おわり)ます。 / 明日(あす)をもちまして終了(しゅうりょう)いたします。
In casual speech, で is enough. If you need formality, upgrade the whole sentence to keigo with もちまして, otherwise it sounds mismatched.
A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **をもって**, then rewrite it with **で** or **によって**. If the tone shifts from formal/deliberate to ordinary/procedural, you’ve understood the nuance. ## Is をもって / をもちまして on the JLPT?
N1

Yes. This grammar point is firmly in JLPT N1 territory and appears regularly in listening and reading sections where formal language is featured.

✅ Recognize in formal announcements and letters ✅ Understand the nuance of finality / solemnity ✅ Distinguish from で and によって
On the test, you may hear station attendants say **本日(ほんじつ)をもちまして…** or read a business letter that ends with **本書(ほんしょ)をもってご通知(つうち)申し上げ(もうしあげ)ます**. The questions will test whether you grasp the formality and the sense of closure, not just the dictionary meaning. ## Practice questions for をもって / をもちまして Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
1
Write a formal announcement that a service will end as of next month. Use をもちまして.
Formal closure
2
Describe a situation where you achieved something “through hard‑earned experience,” using 身(み)をもって.
Idiomatic use
3
Compare the sentences “努力(どりょく)をもって成功(せいこう)した” and “努力(どりょく)によって成功(せいこう)した.” Which one sounds more like a speech, and why?
Nuance comparison
4
Rewrite a sentence that uses で (e.g., “来月(らいげつ)で終わり(おわり)ます”) into a formal equivalent without losing the meaning. Explain the change in tone.
Register shift
5
Create a short business letter notifying a client of a change, using both をもって and keigo appropriately.
Integrated output
Keep your first sentences simple—Noun + をもって—then layer on the polite endings and context. ## Learning path for をもって / をもちまして To learn **をもって / をもちまして** efficiently, start with the raw pattern, then add the politeness variants, and finally contrast it with overlapping expressions.
1
Memorize the structure: Noun + をもって / をもちまして. Drill it with common time nouns (本日(ほんじつ), 月末(げつまつ), 先週(せんしゅう)) and abstract nouns (誠意(せいい), 努力(どりょく)).
2
Distinguish the two variants. Use をもって for formal writing and third‑person descriptions; use をもちまして when you are the speaker and want to show utmost respect to the listener.
3
Compare with で and によって. Write a set of sentences expressing the same factual meaning, then label the formality level of each. Notice which situations “collapse” without the solemn nuance of をもって.
4
Practice listening to real formal announcements (station closures, shop closing hours). Identify every instance of をもちまして and note how it signals the end of a service, a day, or a period.
5
Write an original formal letter or speech draft that uses をもって at least twice for instrumentality and once for a time boundary. Read it aloud; the rhythm should sound ceremonial.
By the end, you should be able to switch naturally between **をもって** and simpler patterns, reserving it for moments that call for gravity and finality. ## Related grammar to review next - [を踏まえ(ふまえ)て](/blog/n1-o-fumaete/) — based on, in light of; similar formal register and attachment to a noun - [を経(へ)て](/blog/n1-o-hete/) — through, via (a process); shares the “via/through” nuance and N1 formality - [を控え(ひかえ)て](/blog/n1-o-hikaete/) — on the verge of, facing (an event); often pairs with time nouns and carries a formal tone - [をいいことに](/blog/n1-o-ii-koto-ni/) — taking advantage of; also a noun + particle construction that conveys a deliberate stance These patterns reinforce your ability to use formal, N1‑level を‑particle grammar in real contexts. ## Learn をもって / をもちまして with Hane If you want to solidify **をもって / をもちまして** alongside the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice formal Japanese in short, focused sessions—ideal for N1 polishing. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)