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A2 verb #3,000 most common 9 min read

持ってくる

mottekuru
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 持ってくる in 30 Seconds
Explanation 持ってくる in your Level:
At the A1 beginner level, learners are introduced to the most basic and essential vocabulary needed for survival and simple daily interactions. The word 持ってくる (motte kuru) is typically introduced after students have learned the fundamental verbs 持つ (to hold) and くる (to come). At this stage, the focus is purely on memorizing the phrase as a single, fixed vocabulary item meaning 'to bring'. Teachers will emphasize its use in very simple, concrete sentences, such as '本を持ってくる' (bring a book) or 'ペンを持ってきて' (bring a pen). The grammatical explanation is kept minimal; students are taught that it requires the particle を (wo) to mark the object being brought. Conjugation practice is limited to the polite masu-form (持ってきます) and the simple request form (持ってきてください). The concept of spatial directionality is introduced briefly, ensuring students know it means bringing something *here*, but complex nuances are avoided. The primary goal at the A1 level is functional communication: being able to understand when a teacher asks them to bring homework, or being able to tell a host that they will bring a drink to a gathering. Repetition and visual aids showing an object moving towards the speaker are heavily utilized to cement the meaning.
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At the A2 elementary level, which is the core level for this specific word, learners dive deeper into the mechanics and nuances of 持ってくる. Students are now expected to fully understand the compound nature of the verb: the te-form of 持つ connecting with the directional verb くる. This is where the critical distinction between 持ってくる (to bring here) and 持っていく (to take there) is heavily drilled. A2 learners practice using the verb in a wider variety of tenses and forms, including the plain past (持ってきた), plain negative (持ってこない), and the progressive state (持ってきている - have brought and currently possess). The vocabulary of objects used with the verb expands significantly to include everyday items like 傘 (umbrella), 弁当 (lunchbox), 宿題 (homework), and 資料 (documents). Furthermore, A2 students learn the crucial rule that 持ってくる cannot be used for living things, introducing 連れてくる (tsurete kuru) as the necessary alternative for people and animals. Role-playing exercises at this level often involve planning events, asking for favors, or explaining why an item was forgotten. Mastery at the A2 level means the student can instinctively choose the correct verb based on the spatial relationship between the speaker, the listener, and the object.
At the B1 intermediate level, the usage of 持ってくる becomes more sophisticated and abstract. Learners move beyond simply bringing physical objects like books and umbrellas, and start using the verb in more complex social and professional contexts. They learn to use it with abstract nouns, such as '話題を持ってくる' (to bring up a topic) or '問題を持ってくる' (to bring a problem to someone's attention). Grammatically, B1 students integrate 持ってくる into more advanced sentence structures. They use it with conditional forms like '持ってきたら' (if you bring it) or '持ってくれば' (if you bring it). They also practice using it with giving and receiving verbs to express favors, such as '持ってきてくれる' (someone brings it for me) or '持ってきてもらう' (to have someone bring it). This adds a layer of politeness and gratitude that is essential for natural Japanese communication. Additionally, B1 learners are introduced to the formal equivalent 持参する (jisan suru) and begin to understand when to switch from the casual 持ってくる to the formal kango vocabulary depending on the register. Listening comprehension at this level involves catching the verb in rapid, natural speech where the 'te' might be slightly slurred or contracted.
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At the B2 upper-intermediate level, learners are expected to have complete mastery over the physical and directional uses of 持ってくる, and their focus shifts to highly nuanced, idiomatic, and professional applications. The verb is used seamlessly in complex compound sentences and passive or causative-passive structures, such as '持ってこさせられる' (to be made to bring). B2 students explore the subtle differences between 持ってくる and other transport verbs like 運ぶ (hakobu) or 届ける (todokeru) in specific contexts. In business Japanese, they practice replacing 持ってくる entirely with humble forms like 'お持ちします' (I will bring it) or respectful forms like 'お持ちになってください' (Please bring it) when speaking to superiors or clients. The abstract uses become more prevalent, such as '結果を持ってくる' (to bring about a result) or '新しい風を持ってくる' (to bring a breath of fresh air / new perspective). At this stage, learners are also analyzing the psychological distance implied by the verb. The choice of using くる implies a psychological closeness or an inclusion into the speaker's sphere, which B2 learners learn to manipulate for rhetorical effect in essays, debates, and advanced discussions.
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At the C1 advanced level, the focus is on near-native fluency, stylistic variation, and deep sociolinguistic competence. 持ってくる is no longer just a vocabulary word; it is a tool for precise expression. C1 learners understand the historical and etymological roots of the te-form + kuru construction as an aspectual marker indicating the inception and continuation of an action up to the present point. They can effortlessly navigate the highly complex honorific system (keigo), knowing exactly when '持ってくる' is too blunt and must be elevated to 'ご持参いただく' or 'お持ち申し上げる'. They encounter the word in advanced literature, academic papers, and high-level journalism, where it might be used metaphorically, such as '時代が新しい価値観を持ってきた' (The era has brought new values). C1 students can also play with the word in creative writing, using it to establish setting and character dynamics based on who is bringing what to whom. They are acutely aware of regional dialects and how the pronunciation or usage of compound verbs might shift slightly across Japan. The goal at C1 is absolute precision, ensuring that the use of 持ってくる perfectly matches the tone, formality, and spatial reality of any given situation.
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At the C2 mastery level, the learner's understanding of 持ってくる is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. The focus is on the deep linguistic, cultural, and cognitive frameworks that underpin the Japanese language. C2 learners analyze the verb within the broader context of Japanese spatial deictics and how the language inherently centers the speaker's physical and psychological location—a concept deeply tied to the Japanese cultural emphasis on 'uchi' (in-group) and 'soto' (out-group). They can discuss the grammaticalization of 'kuru' as an auxiliary verb and how its physical meaning of 'coming' has evolved to express temporal and psychological proximity. In practical use, C2 speakers deploy the word with effortless intuition across all registers, from the most casual slang to the most rigid, archaic business correspondence. They can instantly detect and correct the most subtle unnatural usages in others' speech. Furthermore, they can translate complex English concepts involving 'bringing' into natural Japanese, knowing when a literal translation of 持ってくる fails and a completely different phrasing is required to capture the true essence of the thought. At C2, the word is fully integrated into the learner's linguistic subconscious.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

持ってくる in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'to bring' an object.
  • Combines 'hold' (持つ) and 'come' (くる).
  • Movement must be TOWARDS the speaker.
  • Do not use for people or animals.

The Japanese verb 持ってくる (motte kuru) is a fundamental vocabulary word that translates to 'to bring' in English. It is a compound verb made up of two distinct parts: the verb 持つ (motsu), which means 'to hold' or 'to carry', and the verb くる (kuru), which means 'to come'. When combined using the te-form (て-form), the literal translation becomes 'to hold and come'. This literal translation perfectly encapsulates the physical action taking place: a person is holding an object and moving towards the speaker's current location or a location that is contextually relevant to the speaker. Understanding this directional aspect is absolutely crucial for mastering Japanese spatial deictic verbs. Unlike the English word 'bring', which can sometimes be used loosely regardless of direction, 持ってくる strictly implies movement towards the speaker or the speaker's ingroup. If the movement is directed away from the speaker, a completely different verb, 持っていく (motte iku - to take), must be used. This distinction often causes confusion for beginners, but mastering it unlocks a much deeper understanding of Japanese psychology and spatial awareness. The word is typically written with the kanji 持 (to hold) and the hiragana てくる, though くる can occasionally be written in kanji as 来る. In everyday communication, it is used for inanimate objects. For living things like people or animals, you would use 連れてくる (tsurete kuru) instead. Let us explore the core components and examples in detail.

Component 1: 持つ (motsu)
The base verb meaning to hold, carry, or possess an object.
Component 2: て-form (te-form)
The connective form that links the action of holding with the action of coming.
Component 3: くる (kuru)
The verb for 'to come', indicating spatial movement towards the speaker's viewpoint.

明日、学校に本を持ってくる。

I will bring the book to school tomorrow.

パーティーに飲み物を持ってくるね。

I'll bring drinks to the party.

傘を持ってくるのを忘れた。

I forgot to bring my umbrella.

彼はお土産を持ってきた。

He brought a souvenir.

会議に資料を持ってきてください。

Please bring the documents to the meeting.

By mastering the spatial dynamics of 持ってくる, you will sound much more natural and native-like in your daily Japanese conversations. It is a word you will hear and use constantly.

Using 持ってくる correctly requires an understanding of Japanese verb conjugation, particle usage, and spatial context. The verb belongs to the irregular Group 3 (since it ends with the irregular verb くる). Therefore, it conjugates exactly like くる. The polite form is 持ってきます (motte kimasu), the negative form is 持ってこない (motte konai), the past tense is 持ってきた (motte kita), and the te-form request is 持ってきて (motte kite). The object being brought is marked by the particle を (wo). For example, '本を持ってくる' (hon wo motte kuru) means 'to bring a book'. The destination is marked by に (ni) or へ (e), such as '学校に持ってくる' (gakkou ni motte kuru - to bring to school). When making requests, which is one of the most common uses of this verb, you will frequently hear '〜を持ってきてください' (Please bring ~) or the more casual '〜を持ってきて' (Bring ~). It is also commonly used in the potential form, 持ってこられる (can bring), and the volitional form, 持ってこよう (let's bring). A critical aspect of usage is ensuring the destination of the bringing action is where the speaker currently is, or where the speaker will be at the time of the action. If you are at home calling a friend who is coming over, you say 'ケーキを持ってきて' (Bring a cake). If you are at work and talking about going to a client's office, you cannot use 持ってくる; you must use 持っていく because the movement is away from your current base. Let us look at the structural rules and examples.

Rule 1: Particle を
Use を to mark the direct object being brought (e.g., 弁当を持ってくる).
Rule 2: Particle に
Use に to mark the destination of the bringing action (e.g., 部屋に持ってくる).
Rule 3: Conjugation
Conjugates as an irregular Group 3 verb, following the pattern of くる.

お弁当を持ってきます。

I will bring my lunchbox. (Polite)

今日は辞書を持ってこなかった。

I didn't bring my dictionary today. (Casual Past Negative)

タオルを持ってきてください。

Please bring a towel. (Request)

カメラを持ってこよう。

Let's bring a camera. (Volitional)

パソコンを持ってこられますか？

Can you bring a laptop? (Potential)

Understanding these grammatical rules ensures that your sentences are structurally sound and contextually appropriate in any situation.

The verb 持ってくる is ubiquitous in daily Japanese life. You will hear it in almost every conceivable environment where people interact and objects are moved. In educational settings, teachers frequently use it to remind students about necessary materials: '明日は体操服を持ってきてください' (Please bring your PE uniform tomorrow). Students use it among themselves when organizing study sessions or school festivals. In the workplace, it is essential for meetings and collaborative projects. A manager might say, '会議室にあの資料を持ってきて' (Bring those documents to the meeting room). It is also heavily used in social situations, such as parties, picnics, or casual get-togethers. When planning a potluck, friends will coordinate by saying, '私はデザートを持ってくるね' (I'll bring the dessert). In restaurants or cafes, you might hear a customer ask a waiter, 'お水を持ってきてもらえますか' (Could you bring me some water?). At home, family members use it constantly for small favors: '新聞を持ってきて' (Bring me the newspaper). Furthermore, in modern contexts, it is used abstractly. For example, '話題を持ってくる' means to bring up a topic of conversation. The versatility of this word makes it a cornerstone of A2 level vocabulary. You will encounter it in anime, manga, news broadcasts, and everyday conversations. Recognizing the context helps you understand not just what is being brought, but the social dynamics and spatial relationships between the speakers.

Context 1: School
Teachers reminding students to bring homework, textbooks, or uniforms.
Context 2: Office
Colleagues requesting documents, laptops, or supplies for meetings.
Context 3: Social Events
Friends coordinating who is bringing food, drinks, or games to a party.

宿題を持ってくるのを忘れた。

I forgot to bring my homework. (School)

次の会議にノートパソコンを持ってきて。

Bring your laptop to the next meeting. (Office)

ワインを持ってきたよ。

I brought wine. (Party)

メニューをもう一つ持ってきてください。

Please bring one more menu. (Restaurant)

面白い話を持ってきた。

I brought an interesting story/topic. (Abstract)

Immersing yourself in these common contexts will rapidly improve your listening comprehension and spoken fluency.

Learning 持ってくる comes with a few common pitfalls that almost all Japanese learners face. The most frequent and significant mistake is confusing 持ってくる (to bring) with 持っていく (to take). In English, the word 'bring' can sometimes be used for taking something to another location (e.g., 'I will bring this to his house'). In Japanese, this is strictly incorrect. If the movement is away from the speaker's current location, you must use 持っていく. Saying '彼の家に持ってくる' (I will bring it to his house) sounds unnatural unless you are currently at his house. Another major mistake is using 持ってくる for living beings. English speakers often say 'I will bring my friend to the party'. Translating this directly to '友達を持ってくる' is a comical error in Japanese, as it implies you are physically carrying your friend like an inanimate object. For people and animals, the correct verb is 連れてくる (tsurete kuru). A third common mistake involves conjugation errors, specifically treating くる as a regular u-verb or ru-verb instead of an irregular Group 3 verb. Learners might mistakenly say '持ってくらない' instead of the correct '持ってこない'. Finally, learners sometimes forget the particle を and just say '本持ってくる', which is acceptable in very casual speech but incorrect in written or polite contexts. Let us break down these errors to ensure you avoid them.

Mistake 1: Directionality
Using 持ってくる when moving away from the speaker (should be 持っていく).
Mistake 2: Living Things
Using 持ってくる for people or animals (should be 連れてくる).
Mistake 3: Conjugation
Incorrectly conjugating the irregular くる ending.

❌ 友達を持ってくる。
⭕ 友達を連れてくる。

I will bring my friend.

❌ 学校へ持ってくる。(When at home)
⭕ 学校へ持っていく。

I will take it to school.

❌ 犬を持ってきた。
⭕ 犬を連れてきた。

I brought my dog.

❌ 明日持ってくります。
⭕ 明日持ってきます。

I will bring it tomorrow.

❌ ペンが持ってくる。
⭕ ペンを持ってくる。

I will bring a pen. (Wrong particle)

By being mindful of these specific distinctions, you will avoid the most common traps that intermediate learners fall into.

Expanding your vocabulary means understanding not just a single word, but its entire ecosystem of synonyms, antonyms, and related terms. 持ってくる has several related words that vary by formality, directionality, and the nature of the object being moved. The most direct counterpart is 持っていく (motte iku), which means 'to take' (away from the speaker). For living things, as mentioned, we use 連れてくる (tsurete kuru - to bring a person/animal) and 連れていく (tsurete iku - to take a person/animal). In formal or business settings, you will often encounter the word 持参する (jisan suru). This is a formal Sino-Japanese (kango) word meaning 'to bring' or 'to take with oneself', and it is frequently used in written invitations or official instructions (e.g., '履歴書をご持参ください' - Please bring your resume). Another related verb is 運ぶ (hakobu), which means 'to transport' or 'to carry'. While 持ってくる implies bringing something for personal use or as part of an interaction, 運ぶ focuses purely on the physical labor of moving an object from point A to point B. 届ける (todokeru) means 'to deliver', which involves bringing something to a specific recipient, often as a service. Finally, 携帯する (keitai suru) means 'to carry around' or 'to have on one's person', typically used for small items like phones or ID cards. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the perfect word for every situation.

Word 1: 持っていく (motte iku)
To take (an object away from the speaker).
Word 2: 連れてくる (tsurete kuru)
To bring (a person or animal).
Word 3: 持参する (jisan suru)
To bring (formal, often used in business).

会社に弁当を持っていく。

I will take my lunchbox to work.

妹をパーティーに連れてくる。

I will bring my younger sister to the party.

明日は筆記用具を持参してください。

Please bring writing utensils tomorrow. (Formal)

荷物を部屋に運ぶ。

I will carry the luggage to the room.

ピザを届ける。

To deliver a pizza.

By mapping out these similar words, your Japanese vocabulary becomes a rich, interconnected web rather than a simple list of isolated translations.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

て-form for linking verbs

Directional auxiliary verbs (〜てくる / 〜ていく)

Giving and receiving verbs (〜てくれる / 〜てもらう)

Requests (〜てください)

Nominalization (〜の / 〜こと)

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Examples by Level

1

本を持ってくる。

Bring a book.

を marks the object (book).

2

ペンを持ってきて。

Bring a pen.

て-form used for a simple request.

3

水を持ってきます。

I will bring water.

Polite ます form.

4

かばんを持ってくる。

Bring a bag.

Basic dictionary form.

5

これを持ってきて。

Bring this.

Using demonstrative pronoun これ.

6

ノートを持ってきます。

I will bring a notebook.

Polite future action.

7

傘を持ってくる。

Bring an umbrella.

Common daily vocabulary.

8

お茶を持ってきて。

Bring some tea.

Casual request.

1

明日、学校に宿題を持ってくる。

I will bring my homework to school tomorrow.

に marks the destination.

2

パーティーにケーキを持ってきた。

I brought a cake to the party.

Past tense た form.

3

今日は辞書を持ってこなかった。

I didn't bring my dictionary today.

Past negative form.

4

会議に資料を持ってきてください。

Please bring the documents to the meeting.

Polite request with てください.

5

お弁当を持ってくるのを忘れた。

I forgot to bring my lunchbox.

Nominalizing the verb with の.

6

タオルを持ってきましょうか？

Shall I bring a towel?

Volitional polite form for offering.

7

カメラを持ってくればよかった。

I should have brought a camera.

Conditional ば form expressing regret.

8

友達は飲み物を持ってきている。

My friend has brought drinks.

て-いる form indicating current state.

1

彼が面白い話題を持ってきた。

He brought up an interesting topic.

Abstract use of the verb.

2

パソコンを持ってこなくてもいいです。

You don't have to bring your laptop.

なくてもいい expressing lack of obligation.

3

誰か手伝いを持ってきてくれないか。

Can someone bring some help?

Using くれる for a favor.

4

雨が降りそうだから、傘を持ってきたほうがいい。

It looks like rain, so you'd better bring an umbrella.

ほうがいい for advice.

5

忘れずにパスポートを持ってくるように。

Make sure to bring your passport without forgetting.

ように for a strong instruction.

6

彼女が手作りのお菓子を持ってきてくれた。

She kindly brought handmade sweets for us.

てくれる showing gratitude for the action.

7

必要なものはすべて持ってきたつもりだ。

I believe I have brought everything necessary.

つもり expressing intention or belief.

8

ここに自転車を持ってこないでください。

Please do not bring bicycles here.

Negative request with ないでください.

1

このプロジェクトは会社に大きな利益をもたらす、つまり良い結果を持ってくるだろう。

This project will bring great profit to the company, in other words, it will bring good results.

Abstract usage equivalent to もたらす.

2

彼はいつもトラブルばかり持ってくる。

He always brings nothing but trouble.

Using ばかり to emphasize negative frequency.

3

資料を会議室に持ってこさせられた。

I was made to bring the documents to the meeting room.

Causative-passive form.

4

海外から新しい技術を持ってくる必要がある。

There is a need to bring in new technology from overseas.

Used in a macro, business context.

5

証拠を持ってこない限り、信じられない。

Unless you bring evidence, I cannot believe it.

限り expressing a strict condition.

6

わざわざお土産を持ってきていただいて、恐縮です。

I am very obliged that you took the trouble to bring a souvenir.

Humble receiving form いただく.

7

その件については、次回までに答えを持ってきます。

Regarding that matter, I will bring an answer by next time.

Abstract use meaning 'to prepare a response'.

8

彼が持ってきた提案は、非常に興味深いものだった。

The proposal he brought was extremely interesting.

Verb modifying a noun (提案).

1

面接の際は、履歴書および職務経歴書をご持参（持ってくること）ください。

At the time of the interview, please bring your resume and CV.

Understanding the formal equivalent 持参する.

2

この法案は、社会にどのような変化をもたらし、何を持ってくるのか議論の余地がある。

There is room for debate on what kind of changes this bill will cause and what it will bring to society.

Highly abstract and formal context.

3

彼はその場にふさわしくない話題を唐突に持ってきた。

He abruptly brought up a topic inappropriate for the occasion.

Nuanced use describing social dynamics.

4

過去の判例をここに持ってくるのは、少々強引ではないか。

Isn't it a bit forceful to bring past precedents into this?

Used in logical argumentation.

5

彼女の言葉は、冷え切った会議室に一筋の光を持ってきた。

Her words brought a ray of light into the freezing meeting room.

Poetic and metaphorical usage.

6

部下に責任だけを持ってくるような上司にはなりたくない。

I don't want to be the kind of boss who only brings responsibility (blame) to subordinates.

Expressing complex workplace dynamics.

7

そのデータを持ってこられても、今の段階では判断しかねます。

Even if you bring that data, I cannot make a judgment at this stage.

Passive form used for an unwelcome action.

8

長年の研究が、ついに画期的な新薬という形を持って我々の前に現れた。

Years of research have finally appeared before us, bringing the form of an epoch-making new drug.

Advanced structural variation.

1

言語学的に見れば、「持ってくる」の「くる」は単なる移動ではなく、話者への心理的接近を含意している。

Linguistically speaking, the 'kuru' in 'motte kuru' implies not just movement, but psychological approach to the speaker.

Academic analysis of the verb.

2

彼がこの難局に際してどのような打開策を持ってくるか、お手並み拝見といこう。

Let's see what kind of breakthrough strategy he brings to this difficult situation; I look forward to seeing his skills.

Highly idiomatic and sophisticated expression.

3

西洋の個人主義をそのまま日本社会に持ってきても、摩擦が生じるのは火を見るより明らかだ。

It is as clear as day that friction will occur even if you bring Western individualism exactly as it is into Japanese society.

Using the verb for abstract cultural concepts.

4

その理屈をここに持ってくるのは、いささか牽強付会というものだろう。

Bringing that logic here is somewhat of a forced interpretation.

Using advanced four-character idioms (牽強付会).

5

歴史が我々に持ってきた教訓を、決して無下にしてはならない。

We must never disregard the lessons that history has brought us.

Personification of history.

6

彼が持ってくる情報には常にバイアスがかかっていることを念頭に置くべきだ。

We should keep in mind that the information he brings is always biased.

Complex sentence structure with multiple clauses.

7

この芸術作品は、観る者の心にえも言われぬ郷愁を持ってくる。

This artwork brings an indescribable nostalgia to the hearts of those who view it.

Literary and evocative usage.

8

単に物理的なモノを持ってくるだけでなく、その背景にあるストーリーをも持参する姿勢が求められる。

What is required is an attitude of bringing not just the physical object, but also the story behind it.

Contrasting 持ってくる with 持参する for rhetorical effect.

Common Collocations

本を持ってくる
傘を持ってくる
弁当を持ってくる
宿題を持ってくる
資料を持ってくる
話題を持ってくる
お土産を持ってくる
飲み物を持ってくる
忘れずに持ってくる
急いで持ってくる

Common Phrases

持ってきてください
持ってきてもいいですか
持ってくるのを忘れた
持ってこなくてもいい
持ってきてくれる
持ってきてもらう
持ってくるべきだ
持ってきたほうがいい
持ってこようと思う
持ってこさせられる

Often Confused With

持ってくる vs 持っていく (to take)

持ってくる vs 連れてくる (to bring a person)

持ってくる vs 運ぶ (to transport)

Idioms & Expressions

"話を持ってくる"
"縁談を持ってくる"
"問題を持ってくる"
"結果を持ってくる"
"新しい風を持ってくる"
"証拠を持ってくる"
"文句を持ってくる"
"ツケを持ってくる"
"幸運を持ってくる"
"厄介事を持ってくる"

Easily Confused

持ってくる vs

持ってくる vs

持ってくる vs

持ってくる vs

持ってくる vs

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

directionality

Must be movement towards the speaker's current or projected location.

inanimate only

Strictly for non-living things. Using it for a person is highly unnatural and slightly offensive.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 持ってくる when taking an item to someone else's house (should be 持っていく).
  • Saying 友達を持ってくる instead of 友達を連れてくる.
  • Conjugating it as 持ってくらない instead of 持ってこない.
  • Forgetting the particle を in formal writing.
  • Using it in highly formal business emails instead of 持参する.

Tips

Irregular Conjugation

Always remember that this verb conjugates like くる, not like a regular ru-verb. It's こない, not くらない.

Direction is Key

Before speaking, visualize the movement. If the object is moving towards you, use 持ってくる.

Not for People

Never use this for your friends or family. It makes them sound like luggage! Use 連れてくる.

Business Alternative

Upgrade your business Japanese by using 持参する instead of 持ってくる in emails.

Casual Requests

Just saying '持ってきて' with a rising intonation is a perfect, natural way to ask a friend to bring something.

Catch the Ending

Train your ears to distinguish between きた (brought) and いった (took) at the end of sentences.

Kanji Usage

It is usually written as 持ってくる, but occasionally you might see 持って来る. Both are correct.

Omiyage Culture

Bringing souvenirs (お土産を持ってくる) is a huge part of Japanese workplace culture after a trip.

Nominalization

To say 'forget to bring', you must use の to make it a noun: 持ってくるのを忘れた.

Psychological Distance

Using くる can sometimes imply welcoming the object or action into your personal space.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are a MOTher (motte) calling your child to COME (kuru) and BRING their toys.

Word Origin

Native Japanese (Wago)

Cultural Context

When returning from a trip, it is customary to bring back souvenirs (お土産を持ってくる) for coworkers and friends.

In casual gatherings, coordinating who brings what (誰が何を持ってくるか) is a common use case.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"パーティーに何を持っていけばいい？ (What should I bring to the party? - Note: using iku because going there)"

"明日、お弁当持ってくる？ (Are you bringing a lunchbox tomorrow?)"

"傘持ってきた？ (Did you bring an umbrella?)"

"誰かペン持ってきてない？ (Did anyone bring a pen?)"

"面白い話を持ってきたよ。 (I brought an interesting story.)"

Journal Prompts

今日、学校（仕事）に何を持ってきましたか？

旅行に行く時、必ず持ってくるものは何ですか？

友達の家に行く時、よく何を持っていきますか？（持っていくの練習）

今までで一番嬉しかった「お土産」は何ですか？誰が持ってきましたか？

もし無人島に行くなら、何を3つ持ってきますか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. For animals and people, you must use 連れてくる (tsurete kuru). 持ってくる is only for inanimate objects.

持ってくる means to bring something towards the speaker. 持っていく means to take something away from the speaker to another location.

In a business context, it is better to use the formal word 持参する (jisan suru), such as 'ご持参ください' (Please bring).

It is a Group 3 (irregular) verb because it ends with くる. It conjugates exactly like くる.

Yes, in casual spoken Japanese, it is very common to drop を. For example, '本持ってきた' instead of '本を持ってきた'.

The te-form is 持ってきて (motte kite). This is commonly used to make requests: '水を持ってきて' (Bring water).

You say '持ってくるのを忘れた' (motte kuru no wo wasureta). The 'の' turns the verb phrase into a noun.

Yes. For example, '話題を持ってくる' means to bring up a topic of conversation.

The plain negative form is 持ってこない (motte konai). The polite negative is 持ってきません (motte kimasen).

You can say '持ってきてあげる' (casual) or 'お持ちします' (humble/polite).

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