の＋上・
To describe a position relative to something, name the reference object, connect it to a position word with の, and add に to mark the completed phrase as a location.
How the phrase is built
The position word is treated as a noun. First, の connects it to the object that provides the reference point. Then に marks the whole result as the place where someone or something exists. In 箱の中に, the box is the reference object and the inside of it is the actual location.
The eight position words
Swipe sideways to compare every column.
| Position word | Core meaning | Model location |
|---|---|---|
| 上 | above or on top of | 机の上に |
| 下 | below or under | 机の下に |
| 前 | in front of | 店の前に |
| 後ろ | behind | 学校の後ろに |
| 中 | inside | 箱の中に |
| 外 | outside | 家の外に |
| 隣 | next to or beside | 銀行の隣に |
| 間 | between | 駅と病院の間に |
Complete sentences
The entire phrase ending in に answers the question “where?”
More examples
棚の上に時計があります。
There is a clock on the shelf.
Analyzeベッドの下に靴があります。
There are shoes under the bed.
Analyze駅の前にタクシーがあります。
There is a taxi in front of the station.
Analyze教室の後ろにロッカーがあります。
There are lockers at the back of the classroom.
Analyze冷蔵庫の中に牛乳があります。
There is milk in the refrigerator.
Analyze門の外に人がいます。
There is someone outside the gate.
Analyze薬局はスーパーの隣にあります。
The pharmacy is next to the supermarket.
Analyze郵便局は銀行と図書館の間にあります。
The post office is between the bank and the library.
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