Shibuya de? Or Shibuya ni? (From "No longer lost in translation")

Bruce: Today I want to ask you a question which is a very common among students.

Minako: What is it?

Bruce: "Shibuya ni" or "Shibuya de". I'm always confused with particles. Which one should I use, "ni" or "de"? I usually pick one at random.

Minako: At random... That's not good. Let's solve your confusion today!

Bruce: Thank you.

Minako: How would you say "I ate ramen in Shibuya yesterday." in Japanese?

Bruce: Kinou Shibuya de ramen o tabemashita.

Minako: How about "I was in Shibuya yesterday."?

Bruce: Kinou Shibuya de imashita.

Minako, You said, "Shibuya de" in both sentences, didn't you?

Bruce: Am I wrong?

Minako: Hmm... Then, how about "I went to Shibuya yesterday."?

Bruce: Kinou Shibuya ni ikimashita.

Minako: You made a few mistakes. I'm goin to explain. Please look at this table first.

Verb types	Place + Particle	Example verbs	English
Regular actions
Existence
Movement towards a destination

Bruce: Yeah, I think so. You literally move or do something.Minako: Let's divide verbs into three groups. This grouping is very important! "Regular action" means verbs such as "taberu" (to eat), "nomu" (to drink), "iku" (to go), "miru" (to watch), or "kau" (to buy). Does this make sense?

Minako: You're right! The verb "suru" (to do) like "tennis o suru" (to play tennis) fits here, too.

Verb types	Place + Particle	Example verbs	English
Regular actions		Taberu Kau Suru
Existence
Movement towards a destination

Minako: Do you think "iru" is a regular action verb?

Bruce: "Iru" means "to be here or there" or "to stay here or there", so I don't think it's a moving action.

Minako: You're right. You came here intentionally, but you are here now as it states your existence. That's why "iru" is not an action verb.

Bruce: I see. So, this verb belongs to the existence type.

Minako: Do you know any other verbs that state existence?

Bruce: Ah, "aru"! (Something exists.)

Minako: Of course, "aru" is one. So is "sundeiru" (to live).

Verb types	Place + Particle	Example verbs	English
Regular actions		Taberu Kau Suru
Existence		Iru Aru Sundeiru (Sumu)
Movement towards a destination

Bruce: What's going to be in "movement towards a destination"_

Minako: "Iku" (to go).

Bruce: I see. So, "kuru" (to come) and "kaeru" (to return) also belong there.

Verb types	Place + Particle	Example verbs	English
Regular actions		Taberu Kau Suru
Existence		Iru Aru Sundeiru (Sumu)
Movement towards a destination		Iku Kuru Kaeru

Minako: Let's look at particels now.

Bruce: I said, "Shibuya de ramen o tabemashita." Is this correct?

Minako: Yes, it is. The particle "de" indicates where an action takes place as you said.

Bruce: Another example is "Shibuya de shashin o torimashita." (I took pictures in Shibuya.)

Minako: That's a good one!

Verb types	Place + Particle	Example verbs	English
Regular actions	Shibuya de	Taberu Kau Suru	at or in
Existence		Iru Aru Sundeiru (Sumu)
Movement towards a destination		Iku Kuru Kaeru

Minako: Next, let's have a look at the particle for "existence".

Bruce: Wait! Every time I introduce myself, I say "Tokyo ni sundeimasu." (I liven in Tokyo.)

Minako: Right? So, let's put "ni" here. The particle "ni" indicates where someone or something exists. It doesn't indicate a place where an action takes place.

Verb types	Place + Particle	Example verbs	English
Regular actions	Shibuya de	Taberu Kau Suru	at or in
Existence	Shibuya ni	Iru Aru Sundeiru (Sumu)	at, in or on
Movement towards a destination		Iku Kuru Kaeru

Minako: That's right. Well then, where is your rum and coke?

Bruce; So, my sentece "Shibuya de imashita." should be "Shibuya ni imashita." 

Bruce: "Boku no rum coke wa counter no ue ni arimasu." (My rum and coke is on the conter.)

Minako: Correct! The rum and coke exists here. Lastly, "iku", "kuru" and "kaeru". These verbs require a destination or direction.

Bruce: I said, "Shibuya ni ikimashita." Is this correct?

Minako: This sentence is correct.

Verb types	Place + Particle	Example verbs	English
Regular actions	Shibuya de	Taberu Kau Suru	at or in
Existence	Shibuya ni	Iru Aru Sundeiru (Sumu)	at, in or on
Movement towards a destination	Shibuya ni	Iku Kuru Kaeru	to or towards

Minako: This "ni" inidicates direction. Therefore, it doesn't have the same meanings as "ni" used for "existence". Try to remember this!

Bruce: This table explains everything clearly!

Minako: I'm glad that it helps.

Bruce: When the verb is a regular action, I should use "place plus de". When the verb is an existence verb, I should use "place plus ni". When the verb requires a destination, I should use "place plus ni".

Minako: Bingo!

Bruce: The particle is determined by the verb. I need to check the verb's type, not only its meaning.

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