Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 3: 2/13

In, At, To, For, On

Structure

Noun +

Details

  • Particle

  • Case Marking Particle

  • Standard

About 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 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 ()む (to live/dwell) often confuse learners, as they use instead of . This is also due to the fact that ()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).

Synonyms



Examples

--:--

    (かれ)あそこいます。

    He is at that place over there.

    ここ(ほん)()

    To place a book on this place (here).

    この(つくえ)(うえ)(すわ)

    To sit on this desk.

    (えき)()

    To go to the station.

    病院(びょういん)()

    To go to the hospital.

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に – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (13 in total)

  • Asher

    Asher

    Main reason is because つとめる implies service toward whatever ends/goals the company has, rather than the company being the means toward an end (which would use で). In the case of つとめる the one who is the means toward the end is you .

    You can think of つとめる as ‘assigned at’. In that sense you are just ‘existing’ at the company.

  • FredKore

    FredKore

    勤める(つとめる) is more like “to be employed as, to serve as, to work for”

    働く(はたらく) is like “to work (hard at), to labor, to operate”

    So, it’s the difference between “I’m working for (I’m employed at) a company” versus “I’m working (I’m working hard) at my job”. Related but different.

    会社に勤めている。

    仕事で働いている。

  • additionalramen

    additionalramen

    These are both very helpful explanations, thank you!!

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