Location/Time/Target (に)
〜に
The particle に marks location of existence, time, destination, and indirect objects.
Pattern
Time/Place/Person + に + Verb
Explanation
The particle に is one of the most versatile particles in Japanese. Its core meaning relates to a specific point — whether in space, time, or direction.
For location of existence, に marks where something or someone is: '公園に猫がいます' (There is a cat in the park). For time, に marks specific times: '七時に起きます' (I wake up at 7 o'clock). Note that relative time words like 今日, 明日, 毎日 do not use に.
に also marks the destination of movement verbs: '学校に行きます' (I go to school). And it marks indirect objects (the receiver): '友達にプレゼントをあげます' (I give a present to my friend).
Examples
七時に起きます。
しちじにおきます。
Shichiji ni okimasu.
I wake up at 7 o'clock.
学校に行きます。
がっこうにいきます。
Gakkou ni ikimasu.
I go to school.
公園に猫がいます。
こうえんにねこがいます。
Kouen ni neko ga imasu.
There is a cat in the park.
友達に手紙を書きます。
ともだちにてがみをかきます。
Tomodachi ni tegami wo kakimasu.
I write a letter to my friend.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
七時で起きます。
Correct
七時に起きます。
Use に (not で) for specific time points. で marks the location of an action, not time.
Wrong
今日に学校に行きます。
Correct
今日学校に行きます。
Relative time words like 今日, 明日, 毎日 do not take the particle に.
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