Using に with adjectives?

Question

I want to know if there is a rule or way of thinking that makes it easier to understand which adjectives can be used in the following pattern. 体にいいです。<br/> 健康にわるいです。<br/> 酒によわいです。<br/> 電車に詳しいです。<br/> その場にふさわしかった。<br/> I tried using 子供に怖い and it was unacceptable, so I wish to know, what is the general relationship between the noun and the adjective and how do you know in what sense to use them and which adjectives it works with. Can you explain using more examples? Please be as verbose as possible as I cannot find ANYTHING about it on the internet or in any textbooks despite copious amounts of searching. Random ideas: Is it related to: > 1. お金がないのに・・・ 2. おみやげにチョコをもらった。

Answer 1

All of the below are a general adjectives that don't really take emotional states into being:

体にいいです。- good for the body (such as regular moderate exercise)

健康にわるいです。- bad for health (such as fried foods)

酒によわいです。- weak to alcohol (someone is a lightweight drinker)

電車に詳しいです。- familiar with trains (some one has a particular knowledge)

その場にふさわしかった。- appropriate for the setting (dress, behavior that matches the situation/environment)

The NI is showing purpose, "opposition" or suitability and things like that.

子供に怖い - 怖い is a word that has emotion and is personal. You would need to use にとって to put yourself in the shoes of a child.

お金がないのに・・・ This is used to show something is counter to expectations and sometimes regret:

お金がないのに豊かな生活します。- Although he has no money, he lives a very lavish lifestyle.

私はお金がないのに、妹はお金持ちだ。- I don't have any money, but my younger sister is rich.

お金がないのに、一年に外国旅行するそうだ。- They say that although he has no money he still travels abroad once a year.

また、グッチのカバンを買ったのか？いつもお金がないという文句を言ってるのに… - You bought a Guchi bag again? And you always complain about having no money....

おみやげにチョコをもらった。- Similar. The chocolate is taking the role of "omiyage."