Structure
Noun + に
Details
Part of Speech
Particle
Word Type
Case Marking Particle
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Standard
About に
に can be a very difficult particle to master in Japanese, as it has many different translations in English. These translations are usually 'in', 'at', 'to', 'for', or 'on'. Let's look at an example of each meaning.
While these examples may seem quite confusing at first, it will be easier to think of に as always having one 'basic' meaning. That meaning is to be the 'end-point' of an action. This means that whatever action is being described, can only be considered complete/able to be completed once you're at/while you're at the location/time described in the sentence.
Verbs like 住む (to live/dwell) often confuse learners, as they use に instead of で. This is also due to the fact that 住む is a verb that can only be 'completed' at the destination. (You can only complete the act of living/dwelling in the place that you live, so to speak).
Related
Examples
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彼はあそこにいます。
He is at that place over there.
ここに本を置く。
To place a book on this place (here).
この机の上に座る。
To sit on this desk.
駅に行く。
To go to the station.
病院に行く。
To go to the hospital.
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Choosing between に and で
sci.lang.japan
Particles at / in / with に / で / と
Japanese Ammo
The particle に I
Imabi
The target 「に」 particle
Tae Kim
Offline
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 299
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 302
Genki I
Page 60
Genki I 2nd Edition
Page 91
Marugoto Elementary 1 (A2) Rikai
Page 26
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 55
みんなの日本語 I
Page 32 [CH 4]
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