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に particleN52 rules

The particle に: time, destination, and where things are

に is the busiest particle in the language: point in time, destination, recipient, place of existence. These cards separate the uses that beginners most often mix up.

Also known asni particleに particleni vs detime particle

1
N時 に Vに — at a specific time
に particle

Attach に to a clock time, day or date to say “at/on”: ７時に = “at 7”.

毎朝　６時に　起きます。

まいあさ　ろくじに　おきます。

I get up at 6 every morning.

に marks a point in time with a number (clock times, dates, days of the week). Relative time words like きょう, あした, 毎日 do NOT take に.

In the textbooksMinna I, lesson 4Genki I, lesson 3

2
place へ V-ますstem に 行きますに — purpose of going
に particle

Verb-stem + に + 行きます = “go (somewhere) in order to do …”.

デパートへ　買い物に　行きます。

デパートへ　かいものに　いきます。

I'm going to the department store to shop.

The purpose of a movement is the verb-stem (or an action noun like 買い物) + に before 行きます/来ます/帰ります.

  • 何か = “something”, どこか = “somewhere”.

In the textbooksMinna I, lesson 13Genki I, lesson 7