JLPT N5 grammar comparison
に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object) vs で (place of action, means, total)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
The difference
From the に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object) lesson
で (place of action, means, total): で marks where an ACTION happens (図書館で勉強する); に marks where something IS (図書館にいる).
From the で (place of action, means, total) lesson
に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object): に = where something exists or goes to; で = where an action takes place.
Side by side
に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object)
ni (time, place, recipient) · JLPT N5
- Meaning
- "at / on / in / to / for" — a point in time, destination, place where something exists, recipient.
- Formation
Time + に (三時に、日曜日に)Place + に + あります／います／住んでいますPlace + に + 行きます／来ます／帰りますPerson + に + あげます／書きます／電話します／会います
六時に起きます。
ろくじに おきます。
I get up at six.
机の上に本があります。
つくえの うえに ほんが あります。
There is a book on the desk.
Full lesson on に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object)
で (place of action, means, total)
de (place of action, means) · JLPT N5
- Meaning
- "at / in (where an action happens)", "by / with (means)", "in (language)", "for (total)".
- Formation
Place + で + action verb (学校で勉強します)Vehicle / tool + で (電車で、ペンで)Language + で (英語で)Quantity + で (三つで五百円、一人で)
レストランで昼ご飯を食べます。
レストランで ひるごはんを たべます。
I eat lunch at a restaurant.
バスで学校へ行きます。
バスで がっこうへ いきます。
I go to school by bus.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object) and で (place of action, means, total)?
で marks where an ACTION happens (図書館で勉強する); に marks where something IS (図書館にいる).
When do you use で (place of action, means, total) instead of に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object)?
に = where something exists or goes to; で = where an action takes place.