This shows why you go somewhere. It tells what you will do when you get there.
Verb [stem] + に + 行くPrimary
Verb [stem] + に + 来る
Verb [stem] + に + 帰る
This shows why you go somewhere. It tells what you will do when you get there.
図書館に本を読みに行きます。
I am going to the library to read a book.
昨日、友達と映画を観に行った。
Yesterday, I went to see a movie with a friend.
忙しすぎて、昼ご飯を食べに家へは帰らなかった。
I was too busy, so I didn't go back home to eat lunch.
お客様が打ち合わせをしに来られるので、会議室を準備してください。
The client is coming for a meeting, so please prepare the conference room.
わざわざ会いに来てくれてありがとう。
Thank you for coming all this way to see me.
Sometimes, you can make sentences shorter. If the action word ends with "suru", you can often remove "suru". Then, you just add "ni" to the noun part. It is like saying "go shop" instead of "go to shop".
This is different from "〜ために" (tame ni). You use "〜に" for a simple, direct action. You use "〜ために" for a bigger goal. "〜に" is often with verbs like "go" or "come." "〜ために" can be with any verb. For example, you go to see a movie. You study to enter university. Using "〜ために" for a small action sounds too strong.
Don't use this when you want to say "I am at the store." You can't use words like "to be" here. The verb before に must be an action you do. It must be a verb stem. This is the verb part without "masu" at the end.
Often confused with(1)
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