に (Time Particle)
Mark specific points in time.
Planning your day
When you are making plans in Japanese, you often need to specify exactly when things happen. Whether you are setting a meeting time or deciding when to go to the store, you need a way to anchor your actions to a specific moment on the clock or calendar.
How to use に
The particle に is used to mark the specific time when an action takes place. You place it directly after words that indicate a precise time.
Watch out
Examples
See how に connects time to action.
七時に起きます。
I wake up at 7 o'clock.
月曜日に学校へ行きます。
I will go to school on Monday.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
- きょうに七時に行きます。
- ✓ 七時に行きます。
You do not use に with 'today' (きょう), but you do use it with specific clock times like '7 o'clock'.
Usage and Nuance
Understanding when to use に versus when to leave it out.
Time markers
七時に
Specific time (required)
7:00 に
あした
Relative time (no particle)
Tomorrow
Should you use に with 'every day' (まいにち)?
- Yes
- ✓ No
No. 'Every day' is a relative frequency, not a specific point in time, so it does not take に.
Deep Dive: Optional に
Some time expressions are flexible.
When is に optional?
Summary
The particle に is your primary tool for anchoring actions to a specific time. Remember to use it for clock times and days, but avoid it for relative time words like 'today' or 'tomorrow'.