に: destination, time and existence

The idea

After a destination, に marks the place reached by a movement verb such as go. After a specific clock time such as seven, に tells when the action happens. With あります or います, に marks the place where something or someone exists.

Examples

• 駅えきに行いきます。I go to the station.
• 七時しちじに起おきます。I get up at seven.
• 日曜日にちようびに友達ともだちと会あいます。I meet a friend on Sunday.
• 机つくえの上うえに本ほんがあります。There is a book on the desk.
• バスで駅えきに行いきます。I go to the station by bus.
• 明日あした、友達ともだちに会あいます。I will meet a friend tomorrow.

Watch out

Relative expressions such as today and tomorrow normally do not take に. A place where an action happens usually takes で instead.

Try it yourself

1. 駅えき＿行いきます。（に／を）

   Show answer or example answer

   に

   After a destination, に marks the place reached by a movement verb such as go.

2. 七時しちじ＿起おきます。（に／を）

   Show answer or example answer

   に

   After a specific clock time such as seven, に tells when the action happens.

3. 机つくえの上うえ＿本ほんがあります。（に／を）

   Show answer or example answer

   に

   With あります or います, に marks the place where something or someone exists.

Use it today

Write two Japanese sentences using に. Explain what each means, then compare the forms with the examples.