に - a point in time, or existence at a place

Xに

Meaning

Marks a specific time something happens, or the place something/someone exists.

Explanation

に has several jobs, but two of the most common at this level are marking a specific point in time ("at 7 o'clock," "on Monday") and marking the location where something or someone simply exists, used together with あります/います (see that entry below). Don't confuse it with で, which marks where an action takes place rather than where something sits.

Formation

Time/Place + に

Examples

七時に起きます。
しちじにおきます。
I get up at seven o'clock.
猫は部屋にいます。
ねこはへやにいます。
The cat is in the room.

Grammar explanations and example sentences written for NihongoTech.