Say where something or someone is

に marks the place where someone or something simply exists.

JLPTN5

place + に + いる / ある~ ni iru / aru

[something] is / exists at [place]

Example Sentence

いえ家home にいるthere is

I'm at home

Word Details →

Use に with existence verbs like いる and ある to say where something is located. This contrasts with で, which marks where an action takes place: に is for static being, で is for dynamic doing.

Tips and Common Traps

Hana· Key point

Think of に as your 'GPS pin' — it marks the exact spot where something exists. You'll use it any time you describe where a person, animal, or object is.

Maru· Common trap

Don't mix up いる and ある: a pet uses いる, a bicycle uses ある. Pick by whether the thing is alive.

Build the Sentence

JLPT N5

1 / 5

There is a dog in the park

Arrange the words in the correct Japanese order:

いる

there is

が

subject

いぬ犬

dog

に

location / time

こうえん公園

park

place + で (action) vs place + に (existence)place + へ + motion verb