【Difference】Particle 「に」 (ni) vs 「へ」 (he)

“I go to Japan.” In Japanese, you can say this in two ways:

日本に行きます。(Nihon ni ikimasu.)
日本へ行きます。(Nihon e ikimasu.)

Both sentences are correct. Both mean “to.” But what is the difference? And how do you pronounce へ?

This is one of the most common questions from Japanese learners. The difference is subtle: に (ni) is the “Destination Point,” and へ (he/e) is the “Direction.”

This article will explain the nuance and the important rules about when you cannot swap them.

Usage Explanation ①: 「に」 (ni) – Destination Point

に (ni) is a particle that marks a specific target point or destination. Think of it like a pin on a map 📍.

It focuses on the *arrival* at the destination. It is a very strong focus on “where” you are going.

Example 1: (Destination)

学校に行きます。(Gakkō ni ikimasu.)

I go to school. (School is the target.)

Example 2: (Time – Only ‘ni’)

3時に会（あ）いましょう。(San-ji ni aimashō.)

Let’s meet at 3 o’clock. (Target time)

Example 3: (Existence – Only ‘ni’)

ここに本（ほん）があります。(Koko ni hon ga arimasu.)

There is a book here. (Location point)

Key Point: に (ni) has many uses (Time, Location, Indirect Object). It focuses on the specific point.

Usage Explanation ②: 「へ」 (he/e) – Direction

へ is written as “he” but pronounced “e” when used as a particle.

It marks the direction or the journey towards a place. Think of it like an arrow ➡️ pointing towards somewhere.

It sounds slightly more poetic, soft, or broad than “ni.” It emphasizes the movement *towards* the place, not just the arrival.

Example 1: (Direction)

学校へ行きます。(Gakkō e ikimasu.)

I head towards school. (I go to school.)

Example 2: (Welcome)

日本へようこそ！(Nihon e yōkoso!)

Welcome to Japan! (Standard phrase)

Example 3: (Forward motion)

前（まえ）へ進（すす）みます。(Mae e susumimasu.)

I move forward (towards the front).

Key Point: へ (e) is mainly used with verbs of motion (going, coming, returning). It focuses on the direction.

Comparison: に (ni) vs へ (he/e)

When talking about “going somewhere,” they are almost the same. But “ni” has extra powers.

Feature	に (ni)	へ (e)
Image	📍 Pin (Target/Point)	➡️ Arrow (Direction/Way)
Pronunciation	“ni”	“e” (Written as へ)
Go to [Place]	OK (Common)	OK (Softer/Poetic)
Time (at 3:00)	OK (3時に)	NG (Cannot use)
Exist (is at…)	OK (家にいる)	NG (Cannot use)
Indirect Object (to person)	OK (彼にあげる)	NG (Usually not used)

Common Mistake Examples

Mistake 1: Using ‘he’ for time

Wrong:: 明日（あした）の8時へ来（き）てください。(Ashita no 8-ji e kite kudasai.)
Correct:: 明日（あした）の8時に来（き）てください。(Ashita no 8-ji ni kite kudasai.)
Why?: Time is a specific point (📍). You must use に (ni). へ (e) is only for physical direction.

Mistake 2: Using ‘he’ for existence

Wrong:: 田中（たなか）さんは、あそこへいます。(Tanaka-san wa, asoko e imasu.)
Correct:: 田中（たなか）さんは、あそこにいます。(Tanaka-san wa, asoko ni imasu.)
Why?: The verb います (imasu) means “to exist / to be.” It is not a movement. It marks a location point. You must use に (ni).

Practice Quiz

Let’s check your understanding! Choose the correct particle.

Q1.

来週（らいしゅう）、東京 ( ) 行きます。

Next week, I will go to Tokyo.

に (ni)
へ (e)
Both are okay (どっちでもいい)

Q2.

私（わたし）は、日曜日（にちようび） ( ) 忙（いそが）しいです。

I am busy on Sunday.

に (ni)
へ (e)
Both are okay

Q3.

右（みぎ） ( ) 曲（ま）がってください。

Please turn to the right.

に (ni)
へ (e)
Both are okay

Quiz Answers

Q1. (c) Both are okay – With “ikimasu” (motion), you can use both. “Ni” focuses on Tokyo as the destination. “He” focuses on the trip to Tokyo.

Q2. (a) に (ni) – This is Time. You cannot use “he”.

Q3. (c) Both are okay – “Turn to the right” implies direction (he) and a target point (ni). Both are commonly used.

Summary: When in Doubt…

Here is the simple rule for beginners:

Both に (ni) and へ (e) mean “to” when moving somewhere.
に (ni) is a precise “Point” (📍). Use it for Time, Location of Existence, and Destinations.
へ (e) is a “Direction” (➡️). Use it mainly for Movement towards a place.

If you are not sure, use 「に」 (ni)! It covers almost all situations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I always swap ‘ni’ and ‘he’?: A1: Not always. You CAN usually swap them when talking about moving to a place (e.g., 学校に行く / 学校へ行く). But you CANNOT use “he” for time (3時に) or existence (ここにいる). In those cases, only “ni” is correct.
Q2: How do you pronounce the particle へ?: A2: When used as a particle, へ is pronounced “e” (like ‘e’ in ‘get’), not “he”. Be careful with the pronunciation!
Q3: Which one is more common in daily speech?: A3: に (ni) is much more common in daily conversation because it has so many uses (time, target, destination). へ (he) sounds a bit more poetic, soft, or formal, often emphasizing the journey.