I understand that 'no naka' means 'in' or 'inside', but how does the meaning change when 'ni' is placed after it? For example:
Hako no naka - inside the box.
Hako no naka ni - ???
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Sign up to join this communityI understand that 'no naka' means 'in' or 'inside', but how does the meaning change when 'ni' is placed after it? For example:
Hako no naka - inside the box.
Hako no naka ni - ???
箱{はこ}の中{なか} (hako no naka) simply means "the box's inside". It says nothing about the relationship between the inside of the box and another entity, e.g.
箱の中は広{ひろ}い。 (hako no naka wa hiroi.)
The inside of the box is spacious.
箱の中に (hako no naka ni) means "in the box's inside". It describes how another entity relates to the inside of the box, e.g.
箱の中には大{おお}きな象{ぞう}がいる。(hako no naka ni wa ookina zou ga iru)
There's a large elephant inside the box.