6.2 Time Reference Words and the Particle に (ni)
In this module, we will explore how to use the ます (masu) form to incorporate time reference words into your sentences and how to use the particle に (ni) to indicate specific times.
Introduction to time reference words
Time reference words play a crucial role when using the ます form in Japanese to specify when an action occurs. They help differentiate between present and future contexts in a language where the future tense isn’t distinctly marked. Here are some commonly used time reference words:
1. Specific points in time
- 四時 （よじ: yo-ji）: four o’clock
- 月曜日 （げつようび: getsu-youbi）: Monday
- 九月 （くがつ: ku-gatsu）: September
For information on how to ask and tell time, please see Module 7.2. For more details on the days of the week and months, please refer to Module 8.3.
2. Broader time framework
- 今日 （きょう: kyou）: today
- 明日 （あした: ashita）: tomorrow
- 毎日 （まいにち: mai nichi）: every day
- 朝 （あさ: asa）: morning or in the morning
- （お）昼（ひる: [o]hiru）: noon or at noon
- 夜（よる: yoru）: night or at night
- 毎朝 （まいあさ: maiasa）: every morning
- 毎晩 （まいばん: maiban）: every night
- 週末 （しゅうまつ: shuumatsu）: weekend
- 来週 （raishuu）: next week
These words clarify whether an action takes place occurs habitually or will happen in the future.
Note that time reference words in the second category (specific points in time) are preceded by the particle に in sentences. On the other hand, time reference words in the first category (broader time frame) generally do not require any particles before them in sentences.
Now, let’s explore the grammatical rules in more detail.
Usages in sentences
Here’s a sentence pattern that you can use in ます-forms:
Topic は + Time reference word (に) + Place (で) + Object を + Verb + ます。
Time reference words usually come after the topic and the appropriate topic particle.
For example, to say ‘I drink coffee at a café’ in Japanese, you use the ます-form of 飲（の）む (nomu: to drink), which is 飲みます (nomi masu), like this:
| 私は | 毎朝（まいあさ） | カフェで | コーヒーを | 飲みます。 |
| Topic | Time | Place | Object | Verb |
Watashi wa maiasa kafe de koohii o nomi masu.
I drink coffee at a café every morning.
[Audio file to be added once finalised]
Exercise 1
Figures
1 “Exclamation Sign Icon” (untitled) by Dave Gandy. Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC by SA 3.0.
