Japanese Grammar: The Concepts and Differences Between “と (to)” and “に (ni)”

Grammar
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Sentence Pattern: Noun + と + Verb (Action)

Sentence Pattern: Noun + とto + Verb (Action)

Grammar Explanation: Indicates that both parties cooperate and perform an action together, rather than acting unilaterally.

Ex.: 明あし日た、友とも達だちと会あう予よ定ていです

Rm.: Ashita, tomodachi to au yotei desu.
En.: I plan to meet a friend tomorrow.

Ex.: 部ぶ長ちょうと打うち合あわせするつもりです。

Rm.: Buchou to uchiawase suru tsumori desu.
En.: I plan to have a meeting with my department manager.

Ex.: 毎まい日にち、彼かの女じょとビデオ通つう話わで話はなしています。

Rm.: Mainichi, kanojo to bideo tsuuwa de hanashite imasu.
En.: I video chat with my girlfriend every day.

Ex.: 昨日きのう、友とも達だちといっしょに映えい画がを観みました。

Rm.: Kinou, tomodachi to issho ni eiga o mimashita.
En.: I watched a movie with a friend yesterday.

Ex.: 先せん月げつ、彼かれと結けっ婚こんしました。

Rm.: Sengetsu, kare to kekkon shimashita.
En.: I married my boyfriend last month.

Sentence Pattern: Noun + に + Verb (Action)

Sentence Pattern: Noun + にni + Verb (Action)

Grammar Explanation: Indicates that an action is initiated by one party and directed toward another.

Ex.: デパートで、偶ぐう然ぜん友とも達だちに会あいました。

Rm.: Depaato de, guuzen tomodachi ni aimashita.
En.: I ran into a friend at a department store.

Ex.: 進しん路ろについて先せん生せいに相そう談だんするつもりです。

Rm.: Shinro ni tsuite sensei ni soudan suru tsumori desu.
En.: I plan to consult my teacher about my future career path.

Ex.: 明日あした患かん者じゃに告こく知ちしなければなりません。

Rm.: Ashita kanja ni kokuchi shinakereba narimasen.
En.: I have to inform the patient of their diagnosis tomorrow.

Ex.: 今日きょうの午ご後ご彼かの女じょに告こく白はくするつもりです。

Rm.: Kyou no gogo kanojo ni kokuhaku suru tsumori desu.
En.: I plan to confess my feelings to her this afternoon.

Ex.: お婆ばあさんは警けい官かんに道みちを尋たずねました。

Rm.: Obaasan wa keikan ni michi o tazunemashita.
En.: The old woman asked a police officer for directions.

Ex.: 先せん月げつ、彼かれに結けっ婚こんしました。(Incorrect) 

「と」は双そう方ほうが共きょう同どうで行おこなう動どう作さを表あらわし、「に」は一いっ方ぽうから相あい手てに働はたらきかける動どう作さを表あらわします。
結けっ婚こんは双そう方ほうが共きょう同どうで行おこなうものであり、一いっ方ぽうだけでは成せい立りつしません。そのため「に」は使つかえません。

“と (to)” indicates an action performed jointly by both parties, whereas “に (ni)” denotes an action directed by one party toward another. Marriage is something that both parties enter into together; it cannot be brought about by just one person. Therefore, “に (ni)” cannot be used.

Japanese Grammar (日本語文法)
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