By combining a verb stem + the particle に + the verb 行く or 来る, you can express the reason for going or coming somewhere. Using this pattern it is possible to make sentences like "I am going shopping" or "He came to see his friend." Place the verb stem of the word that expresses the purpose before the に particle. See the below table for some example sentences using this pattern.
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| I am going shopping. | 私 は 買い物 を し に 行きます。watashi wa kaimono o shi ni ikimasu. |
| He went to eat something. | 彼 は 何か 食べ に 行きました。kare wa nanika tabe ni ikimashita. |
| What did (you) go to do? | 何 を し に 行きました か？nani o shi ni ikimashita ka? |
| Andrew is going to meet Jon. | アンドリュー さん は ジョン さん に 会い に 行きます。andoryuu san wa jon san ni ai ni ikimasu. |
| She came to my apartment to eat dinner. | 彼女 は 私 の マンション へ 夜ご飯 を 食べ に 来ました。kanojo wa watashi no manshon e yorugohan o tabe ni kimashita. |
