に
JLPT N5:existence / location / time
Marks where someone or something is, and the point in time when something happens.
How to form it
- With いる and ある, に marks where something exists: 机の上に本があります (there's a book on the desk).
- It also marks where someone lives or stays: 東京に住んでいます.
- After a clock time or a date, に marks when something happens: 七時に起きます (I get up at seven).
- Time words relative to now, like 今日, 明日 and 毎日, take no に.
Examples
部屋に猫がいます。
There's a cat in the room.
毎朝七時に起きます。
I get up at seven every morning.
Common mistakes
- Using に for where an action happens. Say 図書館で勉強する, not 図書館に.
- Using に with a length of time. Say 二時間勉強した (studied for two hours), with no に.
Similar meaning
- でlocation of action
Where an action takes place: 公園で遊ぶ (play in the park).
Same form, different meaning
- にdestination
The same に with a movement verb marks where you go: 学校に行く.