に(間接目的語)

N5

に(間接目的語)

ni (indirect object)

に (indirect object)

N5

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Explanation

に can mark the indirect object: the person who receives something or is affected by an action. It answers “to whom?” or “for whom?” This is different from に as a location or time marker. Key points: • Use に with verbs of giving: 先生に本をあげます • Use に with verbs like 会う (meet): 友だちに会います • It often appears with people, not things • It can show the target of an action or emotion For example, “私は先生に質問します” means “I ask the teacher a question.” The teacher is the person receiving the action. Another common pattern is with “あげます/もらいます,” where に marks who receives. Be careful not to confuse this with に for location. The same particle is used, but the meaning changes based on the verb. If the verb is about giving, meeting, or contacting, に usually marks the person involved. As a beginner, remember this simple pattern: Person に + Verb (of giving/meeting). This helps you say who your action is directed toward. When you learn more verbs, check whether the action is directed at a person. If so, に is often the right choice. This makes sentences like “電話します” and “教えます” clear and polite.

Structure

Pattern
Person に + Object を + Verb
Person にThe person who receives or is targeted
Examples: 先生に, 友だちに, 母に
Object をThing being given or action object
Examples: 本を, プレゼントを, 質問を
VerbGiving/meeting/action verb
Examples: あげます, もらいます, 会います

Examples

Example 1
先生に本をあげます。
Sensei ni hon o agemasu.
I give a book to the teacher.
Breakdown
先生teacher
indirect object marker
book
object marker
あげますgive (polite)
Note: Giving to someone
Example 2
友だちに会います。
Tomodachi ni aimasu.
I meet a friend.
Breakdown
友だちfriend
target marker
会いますmeet (polite)
Note: Meeting someone
Example 3
母にプレゼントをあげます。
Haha ni purezento o agemasu.
I give a present to my mother.
Breakdown
mother
indirect object marker
プレゼントpresent
object marker
あげますgive (polite)
Note: Indirect object with a gift
Example 4
先生に質問します。
Sensei ni shitsumon shimasu.
I ask the teacher a question.
Breakdown
先生teacher
target marker
質問question
しますdo/ask (polite)
Note: Target of asking

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