Japanese Learning: Purpose of Movement; [Verb in Masu-form without “masu”]+ni Ikimasu. / [Action Noun]+ni Ikimasu.

We learned yesterday a sentence construction to describe purpose of movement. The example conversation was as follows;

A : Satou-san, Hokkaidou e Nani o Shi ni Ikimasuka. (Sato-san, for what to do are you going to Hokkaido?)

B : Watashi wa Hokkaidou e Kani o Tabe ni Ikimasu. (I am going to Hokkaido to eat Crab.)

Since Hokkaido is a famous place for tourism, there are many activities you can do. Let me show you more examples for B. As for question A, the same sentence as above A can be used.

<example for B>

1. Watashi wa Hokkaidou e Onsen ni Hairi ni Ikimasu. (I am going to Hokkaido to bathe in hot springs.) — { Hairimasu =>Hairi ni }

2. Watashi wa Hokkaidou e Sukii o Shi ni Ikimasu. (I am going to Hokkaido for skiing.) — { Shimasu =>Shi ni }

3. Watashi wa Hokkaidou e Mizuumi o Mi ni Ikimasu. (I am going to Hokkaido to see lakes.) — { Mimasu =>Mi ni }

The above sentences for purpose of movement use verbs in “Masu-form without masu”. In addition, there is simple version that uses “Action Noun”.

2. Watashi wa Hokkaidou e Sukii o Shi ni Ikimasu.

2’. Watashi wa Hokkaidou e Sukii ni Ikimasu.

Compare 2 and 2’. 2 uses the verb “Shimasu”, while 2’ doesn’t. The noun “Skii” has nuance of “doing ski”. If you use “Action Noun”, the construction for purpose of movement can be shortened as below;

4. [Subject] wa [Place] e [Action Noun] ni Ikimasu.

examples;

– Watashi wa Kombini e Kaimono ni Ikimasu. (I am going to a convenience store for shopping.) — Kaimono is an action noun

– Watashi wa Nihon e NihonRyouri no Benkyou ni Ikimasu. (I am going to Japan to study Japanese cuisine.) — Benkyou is an action noun.

This post was written with reference to the exercise A4 on Section 13 of “Minna no Nihongo (2^nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”