に Particle: Denoting Location

Introduction

It’s time to introduce you to a new particle! This time, it’s に and I will gladly teach it to thee!

Small disclaimer! This particle is slightly more complex than the others so far, so に will need some extra attention in the form of more lessons! It has a bunch of different usages but obviously, we’ll take it slow and start with its main function: indicating location.

It’s About the Destination, Not the Journey

The に particle, which we can also call the “target particle”, shows the location (or destination) of where one will go, is going, or has gone to.

Structure

• 

  Nounに
  Example:
  → 私わたしは学校がっこうに行いく。
  ”I am going to school.”

The reason why we call に the target particle is that whichever word it’s attached to becomes the target destination of your verb. Bullseye, just like that! 🎯 By placing に on a location noun, you mark it as the place that someone or something is going, has gone to, or will go!