direction, time, indirect object marker

Beginner

20-25 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Indicates destination, time, existence location, or indirect object.

[Time/Place/Person] + に

学校に行きます。

Gakkou ni ikimasu.

I go to school.

７時に起きます。

Shichi-ji ni okimasu.

I wake up at 7 o'clock.

友達に手紙を書きます。

Tomodachi ni tegami wo kakimasu.

I write a letter to my friend.

Don't confuse に and で. に is for destination/time, で is for location of action.

で (de)

location of action, means/method

です/だ

to be (copula)

は (wa)

topic marker

が (ga)

subject marker

を (wo)

direct object marker

Make a schedule using に for times: "8時に起きます、9時に学校に行きます" (I wake up at 8, go to school at 9).

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 15

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