に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object)
ni (time, place, recipient)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
"at / on / in / to / for" — a point in time, destination, place where something exists, recipient.
に is the "point" particle. It marks a point in time (六時に "at six"), the point where something exists (机の上に "on the desk"), the point you go to (学校に "to school") and the person something goes to (友達に "to a friend"). If you can imagine an arrow landing on a spot, に is usually the right choice.
Clock times, days, dates; where things and people are (あります・います・住んでいます); destinations with 行く・来る・帰る・入る; the person you give to, write to, phone or meet (あげる・書く・電話する・会う).
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
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
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Time point | 六時に起きます | get up AT six |
| Place of existence | 机の上に本があります | there is a book ON the desk |
| Destination | 学校に行きます | go TO school |
| Recipient | 友達に手紙を書きます | write a letter TO a friend |
Natural examples
六時に起きます。
ろくじに おきます。
I get up at six.
Point in time: 六時に "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.
Place where something exists: に with あります.
友達に手紙を書きます。
ともだちに てがみを かきます。
I write a letter to a friend.
Recipient: the person who gets the letter.
来年、日本に行きます。
らいねん、にほんに いきます。
I'm going to Japan next year.
Destination takes に. Note 来年 (a relative time word) takes no に.
友達に電話をかけました。
ともだちに でんわを かけました。
I phoned a friend.
The person you call is marked with に.
Similar grammar and the difference
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). Compare side by side
へ is direction (toward); に is the arrival point. With 行く／来る both are fine. Compare side by side
に (specific time) vs no particle
Clock times and days take に; 今日・明日・毎日 take nothing. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 図書館に勉強します。
- ✓
- 図書館で勉強します。
- Why
- Studying is an action, so the place takes で. に is for where something exists or where you go.
- ✗
- 明日に会いましょう。
- ✓
- 明日会いましょう。
- Why
- Relative time words (今日, 明日, 来週) never take に.
- ✗
- 友達を手紙を書きます。
- ✓
- 友達に手紙を書きます。
- Why
- The person receiving the letter takes に; only the letter takes を.
Specific times take に (三時に, 月曜日に, 2020年に); relative times do not (今日, 明日, 来週, 毎日 — no に). Frequency: 一週間に二回 "twice a week".
JLPT N5 tips
On the exam
- Look at the verb: あります・います・住んでいます・行きます・来ます・帰ります → に. Action verbs like 食べます・勉強します・会議をします → で.
- Clock times, days of the week and dates take に. If the options are に and nothing (×) after 明日 or 毎日, choose nothing.
Frequently asked questions
What does に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object) mean?
"at / on / in / to / for" — a point in time, destination, place where something exists, recipient. に is the "point" particle. It marks a point in time (六時に "at six"), the point where something exists (机の上に "on the desk"), the point you go to (学校に "to school") and the person something goes to (友達に "to a friend"). If you can imagine an arrow landing on a spot, に is usually the right choice.
How do you form に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object)?
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. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object) used?
Clock times, days, dates; where things and people are (あります・います・住んでいます); destinations with 行く・来る・帰る・入る; the person you give to, write to, phone or meet (あげる・書く・電話する・会う).
What is the difference between に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object) and で?
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).
What is the difference between に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object) and へ?
へ is direction (toward); に is the arrival point. With 行く／来る both are fine.
What is a common mistake with に (time, destination, location of existence, indirect object)?
Wrong: 図書館に勉強します。 Right: 図書館で勉強します。 Studying is an action, so the place takes で. に is for where something exists or where you go.
Quick check
What goes in ( )? 毎朝 六時（ ）起きます。