JLPT N5

に

Direction / Time / Location marker

Structure

Noun に

How it works

The particle 'に' is a versatile marker used to indicate a destination, a specific point in time, or the location of existence. It marks the target of an action (to), a specific time when something happens (at/on), and where something or someone is located (in/at).

Examples

明日、京都に行きます。

I will go to Kyoto tomorrow.

七時に起きます。

I wake up at seven o'clock.

机の上に本があります。

There is a book on the desk.

Common mistakes

Using 'に' with relative time words like 'today' (今日), 'tomorrow' (明日), or 'every day' (毎日), which do not take this particle.

Tip

Think of 'に' as a pinpoint or a target. If you can point to a specific spot on a map or a specific number on a clock, you likely need 'に'.

More JLPT N5 grammar

はがをでものとや

See に in real Japanese

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