Meaning & usage
に marks the purpose for going, coming, or returning somewhere, expressing that someone moves in order to do an action. Attach it to the masu-stem of the purpose verb, as in 会いに or 食べに, then follow it with a motion verb such as 行く, 来る, or 帰る, and action nouns such as 買い物 may also appear before に. Be careful to use the stem form rather than the dictionary form, and keep a motion verb after に since the pattern does not work with non-movement verbs.
Example sentences 8
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どこまでドライブに行くの？
How far are you going for a drive?
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明日ピクニックに行くつもりだ。
I'm going to go on a picnic tomorrow.
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買い物に行くよりも、むしろ家にいたい。
I would rather stay at home than go shopping.
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友だちに会いに駅へ行きます。
I'm going to the station to meet my friend.
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昼ごはんを食べに家に帰ります。
I will return home to eat lunch.
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本を借りに図書館へ行った。
I went to the library to borrow a book.
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映画を見に友だちが来た。
My friend came over to watch a movie.
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母は野菜を買いに店へ行く。
My mother goes to the store to buy vegetables.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 3 past exam questions.
