How to Use 〜に行く in Japanese

One of the most useful grammar patterns for talking about plans and activities in Japanese is 〜に, which means “to go (somewhere) to do (something).” This pattern is commonly used to express when you’re going somewhere with the purpose of doing an activity.

For example:

  • みせもの → Go to the store to shop
  • うみおよぎに → Go to the beach to swim

Let’s break it down and learn how to use this pattern properly.

Structure: How to Form 〜に

The basic structure of 〜に follows this pattern:

[Destination] に/へ [Verb (Stem)] にく/る/かえ

There are two main components:

  1. Destination of movement (marked by に or へ)
  2. Purpose of movement (verb stem + に)

1. Using a Noun + に/へ Verb Stem に

When using a noun that represents the place, attach or to indicate the destination, then add the verb stem + .

Examples:

  • 居酒屋いざかやみに → Go to an izakaya to drink
  • 公園こうえん散歩さんぽ → Go to the park to take a walk

2. Using 〜にる (Come to do something)

If the movement is towards the speaker’s current location, replace with .

Examples:

  • うちにあそびに → Come to my house to hang out
  • 日本にほん日本語にほんご勉強べんきょうしに → Come to Japan to study Japanese

3. Using 〜にかえる (Return to do something)

If you’re returning somewhere with a specific purpose, replace with かえ.

Examples:

  • いえひるごはんをべにかえ → Return home to eat lunch
  • いえわすものりにかえ → Return home to get forgotten items

Common Phrases & Situations

Here are some real-life examples of how you can use 〜に in conversations:

A: 「これからどこにくの?」 (Where are you going now?)
B: 「レストランにひるごはんをべにくよ!」 (I’m going to a restaurant to eat lunch!)

A: 「週末しゅうまつなにする?」 (What are you doing this weekend?)
B: 「映画館えいがかん映画えいがくつもり!」 (I plan to go to the cinema to watch a movie!)

A: 「放課後ほうかごなにする?」 (What will you do after school?)
B: 「図書館としょかん勉強べんきょうしにく。」 (I’ll go to the library to study.)

Practice Time

Try making your own sentences with [Destination] に/へ [Verb Stem] に く/る/かえ! Here are some prompts:

  1. Go to school to study → ______ に
  2. Come to a friend’s house to hang out → ______ に
  3. Return home to sleep → ______ にかえ
  4. Go to the park to take pictures → ______ に

This 〜に pattern is very useful in daily conversations! Try using it next time you’re talking about plans or activities in Japanese.

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