Kafe de deeto
Two particles used to express places
Some words that express different places
| NI | DE |
|---|---|
| point | place, instrumental |
“ni” and “de”
“NI”
“ni” is a versatile particle in Japanese that serves several functions. Primarily, it is used to indicate specific places or points, much like how “at” is used in English. For example, when specifying a location, “ni” pinpoints the exact place where something exists.
In addition to indicating location, “ni” functions similarly to the English preposition “to,” indicating a destination. For instance, when expressing movement towards a place, “ni” denotes the endpoint of the action. Because of this, “ni” and “e” can sometimes be used in similar contexts. However, there is a subtle difference between them: “ni” focuses on the point or destination itself, while “e” emphasizes the direction or path towards that destination.
Moreover, “ni” is used to express specific points in time. Just as it identifies precise locations, it can also specify exact moments or periods, akin to the use of “at” or “on” in English when referring to time. For example, when indicating the time of an event, “ni” helps to pinpoint the exact moment it occurs.
In summary, “ni” is a particle that highlights specific points, whether they are places or moments in time, while “e” is more about the direction of movement.
“DE”
“de” also indicates places where actions take place. The key difference between “ni” and “de” is that “ni” is used for static existences, while “de” is used for actions or events that occur at a location.
“ni” is used with stative verbs, which describe a state of being or existence. For example, “aru” (to exist for inanimate objects) and “iru” (to exist for animate objects) are verbs that commonly follow “ni.” This indicates that something exists or is located at a particular place. For instance, “koko ni aru” means “It is here” for an inanimate object, and “koko ni iru” means “He/She is here” for an animate object.
On the other hand, “de” is used with kinetic verbs, which describe actions or events. When you use “de,” it emphasizes that something happens at that location. For example, verbs like “taberu” (to eat), “asobu” (to play), and “hataraku” (to work) follow “de.” So, “koko de taberu” means “I eat here,” and “koko de hataraku” means “I work here.”
In summary, “ni” is used to point out where something exists or is located, while “de” shows where an action takes place.
Words for places
“ni” and “de” are particles used in Japanese to indicate locations, and they are often paired with words denoting places. Here are some examples of places.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| mae | front |
| ushiro | back |
| yoko | next, side |
| koko | here |
| asoko | there |
| naka | inside |
| soto | outside |
| ue | above, top |
| shita | under, below |
Examples
- Eki no mae de machimasu.
- Ie no soto de baabekyuu o shimasu.
- Asoko de magarimasu.
- Asoko ni hana o okimasu.
- Suzukisan wa watashi no yoko ni imasu.
Words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a | oh, when you find something or surprised |
| tonari | next, neighbor |
| tonarini | next to |
| deeto | dating |
| …to itteimasu | say that … |
| moshikashite | it might be |
| hairu | get into |
| ikimashou | let’s go |
| baggu | bag |
| saihu | wallet |
| ie | house, home |
| wasureru | forget |
| ogoru | treat |
Expressions
Satou says:
A! asoko ni suzukisan ga imasu yo!
Hondasan mo tonari ni imasu.
Justin says:
Suzukisan wa kyou shibuya de deeto o shimasu to itteimashita.
Satou says:
Moshikashite Hondasan to desuka?
A! kafe ni hairimashita!
Justin says:
Kafe de deeto desu ne.
Satou says:
Watashitachi wa ano kafe no tonari ni ikimashou.
A! baggu no naka ni saihu ga arimasen. Ie ni wasuremashita.
Justin says:
Watashi ga ogorimasu.
Excercises
Questions
- run outside
- Eat a meal at a cafe
- Put a cover on a sofa
- hide under a bed
Answers
- Soto de hashirimasu.
- Kafe de shokuji shimasu.
- Sofaa ni kabaa o kakemasu.
- Beddo no shita ni kakuremasu.