比較 · JLPT N5
に vs へ
ni vs e
With verbs of going, に and へ are usually interchangeable: に points at the destination, へ at the direction. Only へ can be followed by の.
に vs へ with 行く, 来る and 帰る: when they mean the same, where only one works, and why へ is read e.
Side by side
| に (ni) | へ (e) | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | The destination itself | Toward, in the direction of |
| With 行く・来る・帰る | Fine | Fine |
| Not movement | Many uses: time, existence, target | Only direction |
| Before の | No | Yes: 母への手紙 |
| Sound | ni | Written へ, said e |
Where they are the same
「東京に行きます」 and 「東京へ行きます」 both mean I am going to Tokyo. に is more common in speech; へ sounds slightly more written and stresses the journey.
Where only one works
に has many jobs へ cannot do: time (七時に), existence (部屋にいる), the person you give to (友達にあげる), and change (医者になる).
Only へ can take の before a noun: 「先生へのプレゼント」, a present for the teacher. 「先生にのプレゼント」 is wrong.
Side-by-side examples
Tap a kanji for its reading.
- 学校に行きます。I'm going to school.Destination.
- 学校へ行きます。I'm heading to school.Same meaning; direction in focus.
- 友達への手紙a letter to a friendOnly へ can link to a noun with の.
- 七時に起きます。I get up at seven.Time: only に.
Quick check
- 母（ ）のプレゼントを買いました。
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へ · Only へ can come before の. - 八時（ ）家を出ます。
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に · Points in time take に. - 来年、日本（ ）行きます。
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に or へ · With 行く, both are correct.