に (specific time) vs no particle
ni (specific time) vs no particle
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
に marks a specific point in time (clock time, date, day of the week, month, year). Relative time words take no particle.
Specific times take に: 三時に "at three", 日曜日に "on Sunday", 五月に "in May", 2020年に. Relative time words that only make sense from "now" take NO particle: 今日, 明日, 昨日, 来週, 毎日, 今. Ask: can I point to it on a clock or calendar? Yes → に. Is it "today / tomorrow / every day"? → nothing.
Every time you say when something happens. Also with 朝, 夜, 春, 夏 the に is optional.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
三時に、日曜日に、五月に、2020年に ／ 今日、明日、毎朝、来週、今 (no に)
Visual diagram
| Aspect | に (specific) | no particle (relative) |
|---|---|---|
| Clock / date | 三時に、十日に | — |
| Day / month / year | 日曜日に、五月に、去年の四月に | — |
| Relative to now | — | 今日、明日、昨日、来週、毎日、今 |
| Optional | 朝(に)、夜(に)、春(に) | — |
Natural examples
授業は九時に始まります。
じゅぎょうは くじに はじまります。
Class starts at nine.
Clock time + に.
土曜日に友達と映画を見ます。
どようびに ともだちと えいがを みます。
On Saturday I'll see a film with a friend.
Day of the week + に.
明日、田中さんに会います。
あした、たなかさんに あいます。
I'll meet Mr Tanaka tomorrow.
明日 takes no particle.
毎朝七時に起きます。
まいあさ しちじに おきます。
I get up at seven every morning.
毎朝 takes nothing; 七時 takes に.
来週、大阪へ行きます。
らいしゅう、おおさかへ いきます。
I'm going to Osaka next week.
来週 is relative → no に.
Similar grammar and the difference
The other uses of に: place of existence, destination, recipient. Compare side by side
七時ごろ(に): after ごろ, に is optional. Compare side by side
週に二回: a different に meaning "per". Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 明日に会いましょう
- ✓
- 明日会いましょう
- Why
- 明日 is relative → no に.
- ✗
- 三時会いましょう
- ✓
- 三時に会いましょう
- Why
- Clock times need に.
- ✗
- 毎日に勉強します
- ✓
- 毎日勉強します
- Why
- 毎日, 毎週 and 毎朝 take no particle.
Test favourite: ×明日に, ×毎日に are wrong; 三時に, 月曜日に, 誕生日に are right. Time spans take no に either: 三時間勉強しました. に is optional after 朝／夜／春／夏 etc. Also に marks the destination (#8) and the person you meet／give to.
JLPT N5 tips
On the exam
- If an option is に after 今日／明日／毎日／来週, it is wrong. If the blank follows a clock time, day of the week, date or year, choose に.
- The exam sometimes offers × (nothing) as an option. Take it seriously after relative time words.
Frequently asked questions
What does に (specific time) vs no particle mean?
に marks a specific point in time (clock time, date, day of the week, month, year). Relative time words take no particle. Specific times take に: 三時に "at three", 日曜日に "on Sunday", 五月に "in May", 2020年に. Relative time words that only make sense from "now" take NO particle: 今日, 明日, 昨日, 来週, 毎日, 今. Ask: can I point to it on a clock or calendar? Yes → に. Is it "today / tomorrow / every day"? → nothing.
How do you form に (specific time) vs no particle?
三時に、日曜日に、五月に、2020年に ／ 今日、明日、毎朝、来週、今 (no に). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is に (specific time) vs no particle used?
Every time you say when something happens. Also with 朝, 夜, 春, 夏 the に is optional.
What is the difference between に (specific time) vs no particle and に?
The other uses of に: place of existence, destination, recipient.
What is the difference between に (specific time) vs no particle and ごろ?
七時ごろ(に): after ごろ, に is optional.
What is a common mistake with に (specific time) vs no particle?
Wrong: 明日に会いましょう Right: 明日会いましょう 明日 is relative → no に.
Quick check
What goes in ( )? 授業は 九時（ ）始まります。