に vs で – what’s the difference?

Both can translate as “in” or “at”. Use に (ni) for where something is (with いる/ある), a destination, or a point in time. Use で (de) for where an action happens and for the means or tool you use. 部屋にいます = I am in the room; 部屋で勉強します = I study in the room.

に (ni)	で (de)
Location of existence: 公園に犬がいます – there is a dog in the park	Location of an action: 公園で遊びます – (I) play in the park
Destination: 学校に行きます – go to school	Means: バスで行きます – go by bus; はしで食べます – eat with chopsticks
Point in time: 七時に起きます – get up at seven	Cause: 風邪で休みました – was off because of a cold
Recipient: 友達に手紙を書きます – write a letter to a friend	Scope: 日本で一番高い山 – the highest mountain in Japan

Examples

図書館に本があります。

toshokan ni hon ga arimasu

There are books in the library.

図書館で本を読みます。

toshokan de hon o yomimasu

I read books in the library.

大阪に住んでいます。

Ōsaka ni sunde imasu

I live in Osaka.

大阪で働いています。

Ōsaka de hataraite imasu

I work in Osaka.

Watch out

住む (live somewhere) takes に even though it sounds like an activity: 東京に住んでいます.
Relative time words such as 今日 (today), 明日 (tomorrow) and 毎日 (every day) take no particle: 明日行きます.
Events “take place” with で: ホールでコンサートがあります – there is a concert in the hall, even though ある usually takes に.

Practice

1. 部屋＿います。

I am in my room.

2. 部屋＿勉強します。

I study in my room.

3. 東京＿住んでいます。

I live in Tokyo.

4. 電車＿学校へ行きます。

I go to school by train.

5. 三時＿会いましょう。

Let’s meet at three.

More grammar

Japanese particles: は, が, を, に, で and moreWhat each basic particle does, with examples は vs が – what’s the difference?Topic vs subject, with the rules of thumb The te-form: how to make it and when to use itConjugation rules and the main uses

Last reviewed 2026-10-09 by the I Love Kanji team.