1.に/へ (ni/e)
2.から (kara)
3.から…まで (kara…made)
4.より (yori)
1.に/へ (ni/e)
Indicates the direction toward which something is moving. In this sense に and へ are interchangeable . English equivalent: “to.”
i)
I will walk to the station.
ii)
The subway is probably most convenient to go to Ginza.
iii)
I sent an email to Yanagida-san.
iv)
What time should I be at (go to) the airport tomorrow?
2.から (kara)
Indicates the point from which an action starts. より (4) has the same function but is used in more formal or official situations. English equivalent: “from.”
i) 今、
I just now returned from the office.
ii)
About what time was it last night that there was a call from my friend?
3.から…まで (kara…made)
Indicates the starting place and ending place of an action. English equivalent: “from … to.”
i)
松本:
Matsumoto: About how long (how many minutes) does it take from the station to the hotel?
Station attendant: About five minutes.
ii) ホノルルから
I came back from Honolulu to Yokohama by boat.
4.より (yori)
Indicates the starting point of an action; more formal or official-sounding than から (2). English equivalent: “from.”
i) さくらホテルは、
On foot, the Sakura Hotel is five minutes from the east exit of the station.
ii)
Next week, the schedule calls for me/us to move (travel) from Kansai to Kyushu.