Course 2, Lesson 1, Grammar Notes 4 : Time Reference

[Accura]

4. Time Reference

you need the particle 'ni' with

(1) the days of the week like "on Sunday," and

(2) numerical time expressions, like "at 10:40," and "in September".

nichiyoubi ni ikimasu. (I will go on sunday.)

10-ji 40 pun (juu ji yonjuppun) ni okimasu. (I get up at 10:40.)

9-gatsu (ku gatsu) ni kaerimsu. (I will go back in September).

You do not use the particle 'ni' with

(1) time expressions defined relative to the present moment, such as "today" and "tomorrow",

(2) expresseions describing regular intervals, such as "every day", and

(3) the word for "when".

ashita kimasu. (I will come tomorrow.)

maiban terebi o mimasu. (I watch TV every evening.)

itsu ikimasuka. (When will you go?)

You normally do not use 'ni' with

(1) the parts of a day, like "in the morning" and "at nigh", and

(2) the word for "weekend." Unlike words like ' ashita' and 'maiban' above, however, these words are sometimes followed by 'ni', depending on styles, emphases, and personal preferences.

asa(ni) shinbun o yomimasu. (I read the newspaper in the morning.)

shuumatsu(ni) nani o shimasuka. (What will you do on weekends?)