「に」- Indicating Suitability or Standard

Explanation

The particle 「に」 is used to indicate the standard or suitability of one thing or action for another. It typically connects nouns or verbs.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Noun/Verb Plain Form + に	Noun/Verb Plain Form + に	Indicates the standard or suitability of one thing or action for another.

Basic Usage

「に」 is a common particle used to express suitability or a standard.

Examples

• このシャツがあなたにすごく似合うと思うよ。
• Kono shatsu ga anata ni sugoku niau to omou yo.
• I think this shirt suits you very well.
  

• 彼かれは日本にほんにすごく興味きょうみがある。
• Kare wa Nihon ni sugoku kyoumi ga aru.
• He is very interested in Japan.
  

Summary

The particle 「に」, when used to indicate suitability or a standard, helps clarify the relationship between things or actions.

 

 

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「に」- Expressing "Due to..."

Explanation

The particle 「に」 in Japanese is used to indicate cause or reason, often introducing a resulting situation.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Clause A + に + Clause B	Clause A indicates the cause, and Clause B indicates the result. Often paired with verbs in their attributive form or nouns.	Used to express a cause-and-effect relationship.

Basic Usage

This usage is employed to express cause-and-effect relationships, often paired with verbs in their attributive form or nouns.

Examples

• あまりの恐ろしさに、声こえも出だなくなった。
• Amari no osorosa ni, koe mo denaku natta.
• Because it was so terrifying, I couldn't even make a sound.
  

• 彼女彼女かのじょは病気びょうきに、学校がっこうに行いけない。
• Kanojo wa byouki ni, gakkou ni ikenai.
• Because she is sick, she can't go to school.
  

• 疲れに、仕事しごとが手てにつかない。
• Tsukare ni, shigoto ga te ni tsukanai.
• Because I'm so tired, I can't focus on work.
  

Real-Life Scenarios

• A: どうしてそんなに急いそいそいでいるの？
• Doushite sonna ni isoide iru no?
• Why are you in such a hurry?
  

• B: 約束約束やくそくの時間時間じかんに遅れそうだから、急いそいそいでいるんだ。
• Yakusoku no jikan ni okuresou dakara, isoide irun da.
• Because I might be late for the scheduled time, I'm in a hurry.
  

Summary

The particle 「に」, when used to indicate cause or reason, effectively conveys emotions and states, helping to construct cause-and-effect relationships.

「に」- Indicating Time of Action

Explanation

The particle 「に」 is used to indicate the specific time when an action or event occurs.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Time Noun + に + Verb	日曜日にちようびに朝あさ洗濯せんたくをします。	Used to specify a particular point in time.

Deep Dive

When indicating time, the particle 「に」 is typically used to specify a particular moment or time period. It can be used to indicate a specific time of day or the exact time when an event occurs. For example:

• 日曜日にちようびに朝あさ洗濯せんたくをします。
• Nichiyoubi ni asa sentaku o shimasu.
• I do the laundry on Sunday morning.
  

• 私わたしは毎日まいにち８時はちじに起おきます。
• Watashi wa mainichi hachiji ni okimasu.
• I wake up at 8 o'clock every day.
  

Additionally, 「に」 can also be used to indicate the start or end time of an event. For example:

• 会議かいぎは10時じゅうじに始はじまります。
• Kaigi wa juuji ni hajimarimasu.
• The meeting starts at 10 o'clock.
  

• 映画えいがは9時くじに終おわります。
• Eiga wa kuji ni owarimasu.
• The movie ends at 9 o'clock.
  

Real-Life Scenarios

• A: 明日あしたの会議かいぎは何時なんじに始はじまりますか？
• Ashita no kaigi wa nanji ni hajimarimasu ka?
• What time does tomorrow's meeting start?
  

• B: 10時じゅうじに始はじまります。
• Juuji ni hajimarimasu.
• It starts at 10 o'clock.
  

Summary

The particle 「に」, when indicating time, clearly specifies the exact moment when an action occurs, enhancing the accuracy of expression.

「に」- Indicates Existence or Location of Static Actions

Explanation

The particle 「に」 is used to indicate the location where something exists or where a static action takes place.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Noun + に + Noun + (が/は) + Existence Verb	Noun + に + Noun + (が/は) + Existence Verb	Used with existence verbs 「いる」 or 「ある」 to express "there is" or "there are."

Basic Usage

Used with existence verbs 「いる」 or 「ある」 to express "there is" or "there are."

Examples

• 教室きょうしつに学生がくせいがいる。
• Kyoushitsu ni gakusei ga iru.
• There are students in the classroom.
  

• 図書館としょかんに本ほんがある。
• Toshokan ni hon ga aru.
• There are books in the library.
  

• 机つくえに本ほんがある。
• Tsukue ni hon ga aru.
• There is a book on the desk.

Deep Dive

When the particle 「に」 is used to indicate the location of existence or static actions, it is typically paired with existence verbs 「いる」 or 「ある」. For example, 「教室きょうしつに学生がくせいがいる」 means "There are students in the classroom," while 「図書館としょかんに本ほんがある」 means "There are books in the library." This usage emphasizes the static existence of something rather than the progression of an action.

Summary

The particle 「に」 is a crucial grammar point in Japanese when indicating the location of existence or static actions. It helps to express and understand Japanese sentences more accurately.

「に」- Indicates the Target of an Action

Explanation

The particle 「に」 is used to indicate the target or recipient of an action, connecting the verb with its object.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Noun + に + Verb	+ Noun	Indicates the target of an action, i.e., who or what receives the action.

Deep Dive

The particle 「に」 is a very commonly used particle in Japanese, primarily used to indicate the target or recipient of an action. It helps clarify who or what is receiving the action. For example, in the sentence 「私は友達に電話をしました」, 「友達」 is the target of the action 「電話をする」, meaning "I called my friend."

Examples

• 私わたしは友達ともだちに電話でんわをしました。
• Watashi wa tomodachi ni denwa o shimashita.
• I called my friend.
  

• 彼かれに本ほんを渡わたしました。
• Kare ni hon o watashimashita.
• I handed the book to him.
  

• 彼女かのじょにプレゼントをあげました。
• Kanojo ni purezento o agemashita.
• I gave her a gift.
  

• 先生せんせいに質問しつもんをしました。
• Sensei ni shitsumon o shimashita.
• I asked the teacher a question.
  

Real-Life Scenarios

• Daily Conversations:
  • 彼かれは先生せんせいに質問しつもんをしました。
  • Kare wa sensei ni shitsumon o shimashita.
  • He asked the teacher a question.
    
• Business Scenarios:
  • 社長しゃちょうに報告ほうこくをしました。
  • Shachou ni houkoku o shimashita.
  • I reported to the president.
    
• Family Scenarios:
  • 母ははに手伝てつだいました。
  • Haha ni tetsudaimashita.
  • I helped my mom.
    

Summary

The particle 「に」, when used to indicate the target of an action, helps us clearly express who or what is receiving the action. By using 「に」, we can precisely identify the recipient of the action, making the sentence more specific and clear.

に - Indicates Destination, Landing Point, etc.

Explanation

The particle 「に」 is used to indicate a destination, landing point, or a change in state.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Noun + に + Verb	Noun + に + Verb	Used to indicate a destination, landing point, or change in state.

Basic Concept

Indicates the final destination or goal of an action.

Examples

• 駅えきに着つきました。
• Eki ni tsukimashita.
• I arrived at the station.
  

• 5時じに起おきます。
• 5-ji ni okimasu.
• I wake up at 5 o'clock.
  

• 3時じに会あいましょう。
• 3-ji ni aimashou.
• Let's meet at 3 o'clock.
  

• 彼かれは医者いしゃになりました。
• Kare wa isha ni narimashita.
• He became a doctor.
  

Real-Life Dialogue Example

• 友達ともだち：週末しゅうまつに何なにをしますか？
• Tomodachi: Shuumatsu ni nani o shimasu ka?
• Friend: What are you doing this weekend?
  

• 私わたし：駅えきに行いきます。
• Watashi: Eki ni ikimasu.
• Me: I'm going to the station.
  

Summary

The particle 「に」 clearly indicates the result or destination of an action when expressing a destination or landing point, enhancing the accuracy of expression.

 

 

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「に」- Indicating Quantity or Frequency Within a Time Frame

Explanation

The particle 「に」 is used to indicate the quantity or frequency of an event within a specific time frame.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Time Frame + に + Quantity/Frequency	Time Frame + に + Quantity/Frequency	Used to indicate the quantity or frequency of an event within a specific time frame.

Basic Concept

This structure is used to describe the frequency of events or actions within a certain period of time.

Examples

• 父ちちは一日いちにちに3回さんかい歯はを磨みがきます。
• Chichi wa ichinichi ni sankai ha o migakimasu.
• My father brushes his teeth three times a day.
  

• 一か月いっかげつに2回にかい映画えいがを見みます。
• Ikkagetsu ni nikai eiga o mimasu.
• I watch movies twice a month.
  

• 私わたしは一週間いっしゅうかんに3回さんかいジョギングじょぎんぐをします。
• Watashi wa isshuukan ni sankai jogingu o shimasu.
• I go jogging three times a week.
  

Deep Dive

The particle 「に」 is used to clearly indicate the quantity or frequency within a specific time frame. For example, 「一日に3回」 means "three times within a day," emphasizing the frequency within that specific period. This usage is often applied to describe habitual actions in daily life, such as brushing teeth or exercising.

Real-Life Scenarios

• A: あなたはどのくらいの頻度ひんどでジョギングじょぎんぐをしますか？
• Anata wa dono kurai no hindo de jogingu o shimasu ka?
• How often do you go jogging?
  

• B: 私わたしは一週間いっしゅうかんに3回さんかいジョギングじょぎんぐをします。
• Watashi wa isshuukan ni sankai jogingu o shimasu.
• I go jogging three times a week.
  

Summary

The particle 「に」 helps us accurately describe the frequency of habitual actions or events within a specific time frame. Mastering this structure will allow you to express such concepts more naturally in Japanese.

 

 

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に - Indicates the Destination of an Action

Explanation

The particle 「に」 is used to indicate the destination of an action or the target of a movement, showing the direction or endpoint of the action.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
に	Noun + に	Used to indicate the destination or target of an action, showing the direction or endpoint.

Basic Concept

It is used to specify the target or final destination of an action.

Examples

• 図書館としょかんに本ほんを返かえしに行いきます。
• Toshokan ni hon o kaeshi ni ikimasu.
• I’m going to the library to return a book.
  

• 私わたしは日本にほんに住すんでいます。
• Watashi wa Nihon ni sundeimasu.
• I live in Japan.
  

• 学校がっこうに行いきます。
• Gakkou ni ikimasu.
• I’m going to school.
  

• 彼かれに手紙てがみを出だします。
• Kare ni tegami o dashimasu.
• I’m sending him a letter.
  

• 猫ねこが箱はこにいます。
• Neko ga hako ni imasu.
• The cat is in the box.
  

Real-Life Conversation Examples

• 友達ともだち：週末しゅうまつに何なにをしますか？
• Tomodachi: Shuumatsu ni nani o shimasu ka?
• Friend: What are you doing this weekend?
  

• 私わたし：駅えきに行いきます。
• Watashi: Eki ni ikimasu.
• Me: I’m going to the station.
  

• 友達ともだち：何なにのために駅えきに行いきますか？
• Tomodachi: Nani no tame ni eki ni ikimasu ka?
• Friend: Why are you going to the station?
  

• 私わたし：友達ともだちを迎むかえに行いきます。
• Watashi: Tomodachi o mukae ni ikimasu.
• Me: I’m going to pick up a friend.
  

Summary

The particle 「に」 is essential for indicating the destination of an action, clearly showing the direction or endpoint. Mastering its use helps improve the accuracy of Japanese expression.

 

 

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「に」- Indicating Identity, Role, or Purpose

Explanation

The particle 「に」 is used to indicate identity, role, or purpose, and it is typically placed after a noun.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
に	+ Noun	Indicates identity, role, or purpose

Examples

• 友ともだちの結婚けっこん祝いわいにお皿さらさらを贈おくりました。
• Tomodachi no kekkon iwai ni osara o okurimashita.
• As a gift for my friend's wedding, I sent a set of dishes.
  

• 彼かれは私わたしの友ともだちとして紹介しょうかいされました。
• Kare wa watashi no tomodachi toshite shōkai saremashita.
• He was introduced as my friend.
  

Summary

The particle 「に」, when used to indicate "as..." or "for the purpose of...", clearly expresses identity and role, helping to improve the accuracy of your expression.