～でできている・～からできている
Say what something is made of or made from
You'll be able to identify a visible material or an original ingredient that has been transformed.
この椅子は木でできています。
kono isu wa ki de dekite imasu.
What do you think this sentence means?
This chair is made of wood.
Identify a material or source
～でできている tells what material something consists of. ～からできている can highlight an original ingredient that has been transformed. The choice reflects how the speaker presents the material, rather than an absolute visible/invisible rule.
チーズは牛乳からできています。
chiizu wa gyuunyuu kara dekite imasu.
Cheese is made from milk.
Form and use ～でできている・～からできている
Use で for an ordinary material description. Use から when tracing a product back to its source. できています is a polite description of composition, not the potential meaning “can do.”
チーズは牛乳からできています。
chiizu wa gyuunyuu kara dekite imasu.
Cheese is made from milk.
このコップはガラスでできています。
kono koppu wa garasu de dekite imasu.
This cup is made of glass.
このお皿は紙でできています。とても軽いですよ。
kono osara wa kami de dekite imasu. totemo karui desu yo.
This plate is made of paper. It's really light.
日本酒は米からできています。
nihonshu wa kome kara dekite imasu.
Sake is made from rice.
ワインはぶどうからできています。
wain wa budou kara dekite imasu.
Wine is made from grapes.
7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.