Particles "ni" and "e"

[Diggity]

I know that both "ni" and "e" show direction towards something, with "ni" also being used as a time marker.

So my question is... In spoken japanese is "ni" or "e" used on a more common basis as a directional marker? Or is it too hard too tell?

San ji ni Kyoto ni ikimasu. - I am going to Kyoto at 3.
San ji ni Kyoto e ikimasu. - I am going to Kyoto at 3.

I would think it would be easier to use "e" as a directional marker since "ni" is quite versatile. Anyone who has a lot more expierience than me care to elaborate?

Just now starting chapter 3 of Genki Book 1 for anyone who has this book... and things are starting to get hard lol!

Arigatougozaimasu!

[Vengeance]

I don't think you can use ni like that...

It would be sanji ni kyoto e ikimasu. Logically, using ni twice in a sentence, and both are used to convey a different thing, this would be confusing. Doesn't seem logical in a language so I'm going to say a no here but I could be wrong.

[Schattenjedi]

You can use に　in that situation but it seems that へ　is more common.

[Spaztick]

"ni" and "e" are the same thing, but "e" has the connotation of a more general "going to." It's more casual and it hass the connotation that where you're going isn't the only place you might go to.

[KRed]

You can use "ni" twice in a sentence such as

roku ji ni gakko ni ikimasu.

"e" is a more casual version of "ni" in the cases of

1. Indicating the recipient of a certain action.

eg Bob san ni denwa o kakemashita
eg Bob san e denwa o kakemashita
I phoned Bob (Bob was on the receiving end of the action)

2. Indicating movement to a place

eg Taka san wa igirisu ni ikimasu
eg Taka san wa igirisu e ikimasu
Taka will go to England.

The frequency of use depends on the formality of the situation.

[Gaijinian]

"e" puts the emphases on the journey, "ni" on the location.

[leylia]

Now Im more confused than ever since you all got different points of views. Which one is correct?

[Mukade]

Gaijinian wrote:
"e" puts the emphases on the journey, "ni" on the location.

Gaijinian is correct.

As a general rule of thumb, remember that "e" emphasizes the movement itself, whereas "ni" emphasizes the destination of the movement.

[Spaztick]

Hmm, yea I think that's prolly the best way to think of it.

[KRed]

Mukade wrote:

Gaijinian wrote:
"e" puts the emphases on the journey, "ni" on the location.

Gaijinian is correct.

As a general rule of thumb, remember that "e" emphasizes the movement itself, whereas "ni" emphasizes the destination of the movement.

Interesting, I never knew that.