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に (target)

to (the person on the receiving end)

Person + に + verb

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に also marks the person an action is aimed at: 友達に手紙を書きます, "write a letter to a friend"; 母に電話します, "call my mother"; 先生に聞きます, "ask the teacher".

Think of it as the target of an arrow: the action goes from you to them. Verbs of giving, sending, showing, teaching and telling all work this way: 弟に本をあげました, "I gave my little brother a book".

会う takes に too: 駅で田中さんに会いました, "I ran into Mr Tanaka at the station". と is also possible, since meeting is mutual, but に is the everyday choice. What 会う never takes is を.

Examples

  • 母ははに電話でんわします。

    I'll call my mother.

  • 友達ともだちに手紙てがみを書かきました。

    I wrote a letter to a friend.

  • 分わからない時ときは先生せんせいに聞きいてください。

    If you don't understand, ask the teacher.

  • 弟おとうとに本ほんをあげました。

    I gave my little brother a book.

  • 昨日きのう、駅えきで田中たなかさんに会あいました。

    I ran into Mr Tanaka at the station yesterday.

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