Japanese Learning: Whether or not to use the Particle “ni” which is the marker for when you do it; [when] ni [verb] v.s. [when] [verb]

We have already learned the Particle “ni” as a marker for time (on a clock) of action as below;

A : Satou-san wa Maiasa Nan-ji ni okimasuka. (Ms. Sato, what time do you get up every morning?)

B : Watashi wa Maiasa Shichi-ji ni okimasu. (I get up at seven every morning.)

Now the function is expanded so that “ni” would be the maker not only for time but also for when action is taken place.

A : Satou-san wa Itsu Kuni e Kaerimasuka. (Ms. Sato, when are you going back your home country?)

B : Watashi wa Hachi-gatsu Juu roku-nichi ni Kuni e Kaerimasu. (I am going back my country on August 16^th.)

Where;

– Kuni: noun; country, but in this case, home country or home town region

– Kaerimasu: verb; go back

Note that when asking time, the interrogative word is “Nan-ji”, but when asking when, the word “Itsu” is used.

Now look at two sentences below;

1. Watashi wa Ku-gatsu Juu shichi-nichi ni Toukyou e Ikimasu.

2. Watashi wa Ashita Toukyou e Ikimasu.

In the sentence 1, The date “Ku-gatsu Juu shichi-nichi (September 17^th )” is followed by the particle “ni. On the other, in the sentence 2, the word for when “Ashita is not followed by “ni”. Therefore, there is a difference between the sentences 1 and 2, about whether or not to use the particle “ni”

As to using “ni” or not right after the word for time or when the action is taken, apply the following rule. But this rule is not a strict one, so take it as a rough guideline. “The word” means that it is time or when the action is taken (e.g. ten thirty, tomorrow…and so on);

– The word is relative to “NOW”, then do not use “ni”.

example; Kinou(yesterday), Ashita(tomorrow), Raishuu(next week)

– The word specifies a certain time, then use “ni”.

example; Gogo Go-ji ni (at 5p.m.), Suiyoubi ni (on Wednesday), Juu-gatsu Juu Hachi-nichi ni (on October 18th)

Quiz: Answer if “ni” is used or not used. The answers will be shown tomorrow.

Q1: Senshuu (with or without ni?), Hataraki mashita. (Last week, I worked.)

Q2: Hachi-ji Juu go-fun (with or without ni?) Gakkou e Ikimasu. (I go to the school at eight fifteen.)

<この投稿は“スリーエーネットワーク、みんなの日本語 初級I 第2版, 第5課A4”の内容を参照しています。>