JLPT N5 grammar · Existence & Location

[Place] に/で: meaning, usage and examples

[Place] に/で means: (location particles) に (marks existence), で (marks action).

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 家いえで勉強べんきょうする。

   I study at home.

2. 私わたしは東京とうきょうに住すんでいます。

   I live in Tokyo.

3. 図書館としょかんで本ほんを読よみます。

   I read books at the library.

4. 兄あには大阪おおさかに住すんでいます。

   My older brother lives in Osaka.

When to use it

に marks where something exists or where you're going to. で marks where an action takes place.

Nuance

に is static ('the cat is at home'); で is dynamic ('I eat at a restaurant').

Compare

に + あります/います = existence. で + action verb = action location.

Tip: 'Live somewhere' uses に住すんでいます: に, not で, because living is a state of existence.

More on this in Japanese particles.