に (Indirect Object)
Mark the recipient of an action.
Giving and Receiving
Imagine you are in Japan and you want to give a souvenir to your friend, or perhaps you need to send an email to your teacher. In Japanese, when you perform an action that involves a person or a destination, you need a way to point to that recipient.
How to use に
The particle に follows the noun that is the recipient of the action. It is placed immediately after the person or entity involved.
Tip
Examples in Action
See how に connects the person to the action.
友達にプレゼントをあげます。
I will give a present to my friend.
先生にメールを送ります。
I will send an email to the teacher.
Which particle marks the person receiving the gift?
- は
- ✓ に
- を
- が
に is used to mark the recipient (indirect object) of an action.
Nuance and Usage
The particle に is highly versatile. While it marks recipients, it is also used for time and location.
に vs を
友達に
To my friend (recipient)
友達に話す
友達を
My friend (direct object)
友達を待つ
If you are 'waiting for a friend', which particle should you use?
- 友達に待つ
- ✓ 友達を待つ
Waiting is an action done TO the person, making them the direct object marked by を.
Deep Dive: Direction vs. Recipient
You might see に used for physical movement (e.g., 'going to Tokyo').
Is it a person or a place?
Lesson Recap
Use に to indicate the recipient of an action. It acts as the bridge between your action and the person receiving it.