I’m confused about に particle


「雨にぬれる」 Why does it have to be used に in this phrase




I think it's likely this particular phrasing stems from classical Japanese.

If we look for に on <http://kobun.weblio.jp> we find this:

> 〔動作や作用の手法・手段〕…で。…によって。
>
> 出典竹取物語 火鼠の皮衣
>
> 「この皮衣は、火に焼かむに焼けずはこそ真（まこと）ならめ」
>
> [訳] この皮衣は、火で焼こうとして焼けなかったならば、本物であろう。

Essentially, に could be used as a particle to refer to means of action. This
helps to account for the "poetic" feeling referenced in the question posted by
Chocolate as well as the supposed declining usage of "雨に濡れる" specifically by
younger speakers of modern Japanese.

