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Location/time/direction
Definition
The particle "に" is used to indicate the destination of movement, a specific time, the location of existence, or the indirect object/recipient. It is one of the most versatile particles in Japanese grammar. When used to indicate the destination of movement, it is often translated to "to" or "at". When used to indicate a specific time, it is often translated to "at". When used to indicate the location of existence, it is often translated to "in" or "at". When used to indicate the indirect object/recipient, it is often translated to "to" or "for". The nuance of "に" can be subtle, and it is often used in combination with other particles to convey different meanings.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb in the -te form | Verb-て行く | 学校に行く |
| Time expression | Time expression に | 7時に起きる |
| Location expression | Location expression に | 部屋にいる |
| Object or recipient | Object or recipient に | 友達にあげる |
Examples
毎朝、7時 に 起きます。
Mainichi, nanji ni okimasu.
I wake up at 7 o'clock every morning.
毎朝 (every morning), 7時 (7 o'clock), に (at), 起きます (wake up)
学校 に 行きます。
Gakkō ni ikimasu.
I am going to school.
学校 (school), に (to), 行きます (going)
机の上 に 本があります。
Mae no ue ni hon ga arimasu.
There are books on the desk.
机の上 (on the desk), に (on), 本 (book), が (topic marker), あります (exist)
友達 に 込めます。
Tomodachi ni tsukamimasu.
I will give it to my friend.
友達 (friend), に (to), 込めます (give)
東京 に 行きます。
Tōkyō ni ikimasu.
I am going to Tokyo.
東京 (Tokyo), に (to), 行きます (going)
Context
The particle "に" is used to indicate the destination of movement, a specific time, the location of existence, or the indirect object/recipient. It is often used in combination with other particles to convey different meanings. For example, "に" can be used with the particle "から" to indicate the starting point of movement. It is also often used with the particle "まで" to indicate the destination of movement.
Watch out
Relative time words like 今日 or 昨日 already indicate a specific time, so no particle is needed.
The particle "に" is used to indicate the location of existence, while the particle "で" is used to indicate the location of an action.
The particle "から" is used to indicate the starting point of movement, while the particle "まで" is used to indicate the ending point of movement.
Strategy
Pay attention to the context and the particles used in combination with "に". Practice using "に" in different situations to get a feel for its nuance and usage.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 〜に used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
毎朝、7時に起きます。
Pattern used: に
に marks a specific time point. Clock times and specific dates require に.
学校に行きます。
Pattern used: に
に marks the destination of movement with 行く. You go 'to' the school.
机の上に本があります。
Pattern used: に
に marks the location of existence with ある/いる. The book exists 'at' the location on the desk.
Interactive
毎朝、7時______起きます。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.