~に (purpose of motion)

The particle に attached to a verb's connective stem (or a noun) used with motion verbs (行く, 来る, 帰る, 出かける, 出る) to mark the purpose of the motion: 食べに行く ('go in order to eat'), 買いに来る ('come to buy'), 買物に行く ('go for shopping'), 散歩に出る ('go out for a walk'), ピクニックに行く ('go on a picnic'). Distinct from に of destination (place + に + 行く).