JLPT N5 grammar
に (ni) — Meaning & Examples
direction/time/existence
Three uses: destination (がっこうにいきます), specific time (さんじに), location of existence (へやにいます/あります). One of the most important particles.
に (ni) — Direction, Time and Location
に is one of the most versatile particles — it has three main uses:
1. Direction/destination (going TO):
がっこうに いきます。 — I go to school.
にほんに きました。 — I came to Japan.
うちに かえります。 — I return home.
2. Time (at, on, in):
さんじに あいましょう。 — Let's meet at 3 o'clock.
かようびに えいがを みます。 — I watch a film on Tuesday.
はちがつに にほんに いきます。 — I go to Japan in August.
Note: Some time words don't take に:
きょう、あした、まいにち (today, tomorrow, every day) — no に
らいしゅう、せんしゅう — no に
Actually only specific time references (clock times, days, months, years) take に.
3. Location of existence:
えきに あります。 — It is at/near the station.
へやに います。 — I am in the room.
つくえの うえに あります。 — It is on the desk.
Practise に (ni) in the free app
This point is part of the “Particles を、に、で、へ — Object and Location” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N5 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N5 grammar points
From the same lesson: Particles を、に、で、へ — Object and Location
Frequently asked questions
What does に (ni) mean?
Three uses: destination (がっこうにいきます), specific time (さんじに), location of existence (へやにいます/あります). One of the most important particles.
Is に (ni) on the JLPT N5 test?
に (ni) is taught in the JLPT N5 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Particles を、に、で、へ — Object and Location”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise に (ni)?
Open the “Particles を、に、で、へ — Object and Location” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N5 mock exams, with no ads.