Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 4
Specific times with に
Recognize with clock times and many destinations.
Start with the example
。
I wake up at seven.
answers ‘at what time?’ follows the clock time; tells us the action is getting up.
Notice the variation
。
I go to school at eight.
gives the time, eight o'clock. gives the direction, toward school. Here is pronounced .
More detail: how to apply this
The particle often marks a specific time.
It is common with clock times like seven o’clock or nine o’clock.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Use the word before to distinguish a clock time from a destination.
means goes. Combine the clues: go to the library at seven. The two phrases do different jobs.
。
I go to the library at seven.
Use the word before to distinguish a clock time from a destination.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
I wake up at seven.
answers ‘at what time?’ follows the clock time; tells us the action is getting up.
Vocabulary notes
- に
- to; at; in; on
- おきます
- wake up (polite)
Compare in context
。
I go to school at eight.
gives the time, eight o'clock. gives the direction, toward school. Here is pronounced .
Vocabulary notes
- がっこう
- school
- いきます
- go
Compare in context
。
I go to bed at nine.
means ‘at nine.’ The verb changes the action from getting up to going to bed.
Vocabulary notes
- に
- to; at; in; on
- ねます
- sleep; go to bed (polite)
Section 2 of 4
Destinations with に and へ
Destinations with and
Start with the example
。
I go to the library.
identifies the library as the destination of . Here follows a place rather than a time.
Notice the variation
。
I go to school.
means ‘toward school.’ With , both and can describe going to school.
More detail: how to apply this
can also mark many destinations.
The particle , read e in this role, highlights direction toward a place.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
I go to the library.
identifies the library as the destination of . Here follows a place rather than a time.
。
I go to the library.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I go to the library.
Showing Destinations with に and へ: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
I go to the library.
identifies the library as the destination of . Here follows a place rather than a time.
Vocabulary notes
- いきます
- go
Preview
。
I go to school.
means ‘toward school.’ With , both and can describe going to school.
Vocabulary notes
- がっこう
- school
- いきます
- go
Preview
。
I return home.
points toward home. means to return, so the sentence describes going back home.
Vocabulary notes
- うち
- home; our place
- かえります
- return home (polite)
Section 3 of 4
Read time and direction together
Use the word before to distinguish a clock time from a destination.
Read time and direction together
。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
is seven o’clock. This marks when the action happens.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
Read time words and destination phrases as separate clues.
First ask when the action happens, then ask where the movement goes.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
I go to the library at seven.
The two particles have different jobs: gives the time, and gives the destination.
。
I go to the library at seven.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I go to the library at seven.
Showing Read time and direction together: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
。
I go to the library at seven.
The two particles have different jobs: gives the time, and gives the destination.
Vocabulary notes
- いきます
- go
Preview
。
I go to school at eight.
gives the time, eight o'clock. gives the direction, toward school. Here is pronounced .
Vocabulary notes
- がっこう
- school
- いきます
- go
Preview
。
I return home at nine.
tells us when the return happens. tells us where the person returns.
Vocabulary notes
- うち
- home; our place
- かえります
- return home (polite)
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Read the example
Your turn · decide before revealing
How do the two phrases differ?
More detail: what changes and why
In , how do the two phrases differ?
The noun before matters: is a clock time and is a place.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
The noun before matters: is a clock time and is a place.
Supported meaning: ごじに gives time; こうえんに gives destination
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.