Understanding に correctly in these two sentences > For context we're talking about snow here. From what I know, when used with a verb stem indicates a purpose. So would translate to "If we touch it to play it's going to melt". is giving me more trouble. I think the is turning it into an adverb so the second part of that sentence would loosely translate to "If we casually dust it off it's going to dissolve." I don't understand the function of the in the third sentence. It looks like it means "On the other hand, if we overlook it under the pretense of being kind it's eventually going to disappear." but what is the usage of here? I'm pretty sure I'm making mistakes so any clarification is appreciated. Thank you.

> {} **** {}{}{} **** {}{} {} **** {}{}

You state:

> "From what I know, when used with a verb stem indicates a purpose."

But and are all _**nouns**_ ; therefore, the "Verb in {} (continuative form) + " construct you speak of is not applicable here.

Instead, what you need to be looking into are the basic golden rules:

> Noun + **** functions _**adjectivally**_ and
>
> Noun + **** functions _**adverbially**_.

Thus, means " **to touch out of mere caprice** " or simply " **to touch just for fun** ".

Likewise, means " **to brush off mischieviously** ".

And , " **to let pass ostensibly (for your own good)** "