Particle に (Location/Time)
Particle に — location of existence, destination, specific time points
Can use に for location, destination, and time
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
学校に行きます。
I go to school.
六時に起きます。
I wake up at 6 o'clock.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
に — Location, Destination, Time
に is one of the most versatile particles. Main uses at A1:
| Use | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Location (existence) | 東京に住んでいます。 | I live in Tokyo. |
| Destination | 学校に行きます。 | I go to school. |
| Time (specific) | 7時に起きます。 | I wake up at 7. |
| Indirect object | 友達にあげます。 | I give (it) to my friend. |
Time rule: に is used with specific times (7時に, 月曜日に) but NOT with relative times (今日, 明日, 毎日 — no に).
Using に with relative time words (今日に×, 明日に×); Confusing に and で for location (に = existence/destination, で = action location)
学校に行きます。
I go to school.
学校(がっこう, school) + に(destination) + 行きます(いきます, go)
六時に起きます。
I wake up at 6 o'clock.
六時(ろくじ, 6 o'clock) + に(time point) + 起きます(おきます, wake up)
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises