Explanation at your level:
Hello! Let's learn the word 来る (kuru). It means 'to come'. Imagine your friend is coming to your house. You can say, '友達が来る' (Tomodachi ga kuru). It's like saying, 'My friend is coming!' This word is for when someone or something moves towards you. It's a very simple and useful word for talking about people or things arriving. You will use it a lot!
The Japanese verb 来る (kuru) means 'to come' or 'to arrive'. You can use it when someone is coming to visit you, like '母が来る' (Haha ga kuru - My mother is coming). It can also be used for events. For example, 'パーティーが来る' (Paatii ga kuru - The party is coming). It's important to remember that 来る is an irregular verb, so its forms change a bit. The polite way to say 'come' is '来ます' (kimasu). This word is essential for talking about movement and arrival in everyday situations.
来る (kuru) is a fundamental Japanese verb meaning 'to come' or 'to approach'. It’s used in a wide range of contexts, from physical movement to the arrival of abstract concepts. For instance, '明日、会議に来てください' (Ashita, kaigi ni kite kudasai) means 'Please come to the meeting tomorrow.' You can also use it for events, like '新しい季節が来る' (Atarashii kisetsu ga kuru - A new season is coming). As an irregular verb, its conjugations, such as '来ます' (kimasu - polite form) and '来た' (kita - past tense), need to be memorized. Mastering 来る is key to expressing arrival and movement effectively.
The Japanese verb 来る (kuru) signifies arrival or approach, encompassing both literal movement and the advent of abstract concepts or events. Its irregular nature requires careful attention to its conjugations, like the polite '来ます' (kimasu), past '来た' (kita), and negative '来ない' (konai). Beyond simple arrival, 来る can be used in set phrases and idiomatic expressions, adding nuance. For example, '時が来る' (toki ga kuru) means 'the time will come,' suggesting destiny or a preordained moment. Understanding the context is crucial to differentiate between a physical arrival and the metaphorical onset of a situation or feeling.
来る (kuru), an irregular Japanese verb, denotes arrival, approach, or the onset of something. Its semantic range extends beyond mere physical movement to encompass the arrival of opportunities, changes in state, or the culmination of events. Its irregular conjugation, deviating from standard verb patterns, is a key characteristic. For example, the polite form is '来ます' (kimasu), and the past tense is '来た' (kita). The verb is frequently employed in idiomatic expressions, such as '来るもの拒まず' (kuru mono kobamaza - to be open to anything), illustrating its figurative depth. Mastery involves recognizing its subtle contextual meanings and its role in idiomatic language.
The Japanese verb 来る (kuru), an irregular verb of ancient provenance, signifies arrival, approach, or the advent of phenomena, states, or events. Its etymological roots suggest a core meaning of movement towards the speaker, which has expanded over millennia to include abstract and metaphorical applications. Its irregular conjugation, exemplified by '来ます' (kimasu) and '来た' (kita), distinguishes it from regular verbs and points to its historical significance. 来る is integral to numerous set phrases and idioms, such as '時が来る' (toki ga kuru - the destined time arrives) or '火が来る' (hi ga kuru - danger approaches), revealing layers of cultural and linguistic meaning. Its usage can range from the mundane description of physical arrival to profound allusions to fate and change.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Meaning: To come, to approach.
- Type: Irregular Japanese verb.
- Usage: Physical movement, arrival of events/ideas.
- Key Forms: 来ます (kimasu), 来た (kita), 来ない (konai).
Hey there! Let's dive into the super useful Japanese verb 来る (kuru). This is one of those foundational words you'll hear all the time, and it basically means 'to come' or 'to approach.' Think about it – things are always coming and going, right? Someone comes to your house, a new season comes around, or maybe an idea comes to your mind. 来る covers all of that!
It's a dynamic verb that shows movement and arrival. Whether it's a person, an object, an event, or even a feeling, if it's moving towards you or happening now, you can bet 来る is involved. It's incredibly versatile, and understanding its different nuances will really boost your Japanese skills. We'll explore how it's used in everyday chats, in more formal settings, and even in some fun expressions. Get ready to welcome this word into your vocabulary!
The verb 来る (kuru) has a long and fascinating history, tracing its roots back to ancient Japanese. Its ancestor is believed to be the verb *ku*, which already carried the meaning of movement towards the speaker. Over centuries of linguistic evolution, this simple root transformed into the modern form we know today.
Interestingly, many Japanese verbs, especially fundamental ones like 来る, share similarities with verbs in other East Asian languages, hinting at a shared linguistic past. The way 来る conjugates also provides clues to its ancient origins, with its irregular pattern being a hallmark of older verb forms. Understanding its etymology helps us appreciate why it feels so fundamental and why it behaves the way it does in grammar. It’s a word that has truly stood the test of time, evolving but retaining its core meaning of arrival and approach.
So, when do we use 来る? Pretty much anytime something or someone is arriving or approaching! In casual conversation, you'll hear it constantly. For example, '友達が来る' (tomodachi ga kuru) means 'A friend is coming.' In a slightly more formal setting, like a business meeting, you might say, '会議に来てください' (kaigi ni kite kudasai), meaning 'Please come to the meeting.'
来る is often paired with prepositions like 'に' (ni) to indicate the destination or 'と' (to) to indicate who is coming. You'll also find it in common phrases. For instance, '明日来る' (ashita kuru) means 'to come tomorrow,' and 'もうすぐ来る' (mou sugu kuru) means 'to come soon.' The context is key: is it a physical arrival, like a train, or something more abstract, like a chance? 来る handles both! Remember, it's an irregular verb, so its forms might seem a bit tricky at first, but with practice, you'll master them.
来る pops up in some really colorful idioms and expressions! These phrases add a lot of flavor to the language and show just how versatile this verb is.
- 来るもの拒まず (kuru mono kobamaza): This literally means 'not refusing things that come.' It implies being open to anything and everything that happens or comes your way, without being picky. Example: '彼は来るもの拒まずの精神で、どんな仕事でも引き受ける。' (Kare wa kuru mono kobamaza no seishin de, donna shigoto demo hikiukeru. - He accepts any job with an open mind.)
- 春が来る (haru ga kuru): 'Spring comes.' This is a simple phrase but often used metaphorically to signify the arrival of better times or a new beginning after a difficult period. Example: '長い冬が終わって、ついに春が来た！' (Nagai fuyu ga owatte, tsuini haru ga kita! - The long winter is over, and spring has finally come!)
- 時が来る (toki ga kuru): 'The time comes.' This refers to the moment when a particular event is destined to happen or when the right opportunity arrives. Example: 'その時が来たら、私は必ず成功するだろう。' (Sono toki ga kitara, watashi wa kanarazu seikou suru darou. - When the time comes, I will surely succeed.)
- 火が来る (hi ga kuru): 'Fire comes.' This can literally mean fire is approaching, but it can also idiomatically refer to a situation becoming heated or dangerous. Example: '火事が近付いてきているので、避難が必要です。' (Kaji ga chikazuite kite iru node, hinan ga hitsuyou desu. - Since the fire is approaching, evacuation is necessary.)
- 血が騒ぐ (chi ga sawagu): While not directly using '来る', this idiom implies an internal 'coming' or stirring of excitement or primal instinct. Example: '試合が近づくと、彼の血が騒ぎ始めた。' (Shiai ga chikazuku to, kare no chi ga sawagi hajimeta. - As the match approached, his blood began to stir.)
Let's talk grammar and pronunciation for 来る (kuru). As a Japanese verb, it's in its dictionary form. It's famously an irregular verb, meaning it doesn't follow the standard conjugation patterns of '-ru' or '-u' verbs. This is why it's so important to memorize its forms!
For example, the polite '-masu' form is '来ます' (kimasu), not 'kurimasu'. The past tense is '来た' (kita), and the '-te' form, crucial for connecting clauses, is '来て' (kite). The negative form is '来ない' (konai). Its pronunciation is straightforward: 'ku-ru'. In American English, it sounds like 'koo-roo'. In British English, it's very similar, perhaps with a slightly shorter 'oo' sound. There aren't really plural forms for verbs in Japanese like in English, so 来る stays the same regardless of the number of subjects.
When it comes to pronunciation, learners sometimes struggle with the 'ki' sound in the polite form (kimasu) or the 'ko' in the negative (konai), as these deviate from the base 'kuru'. The stress is generally even across the syllables. Rhyming words are less common in Japanese due to its syllable structure, but words ending in '-u' sounds might share a similar cadence.
Fun Fact
The irregular conjugation of 来る (kuru) is a characteristic shared by some of the most fundamental verbs in Japanese, like する (suru - to do) and いる (iru - to be). This irregularity often points to ancient origins.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'koo-roo', with a short 'oo' sound similar to 'book' and a tapped 'r'.
Sounds like 'koo-roo', with a short 'oo' sound similar to 'book' and a tapped 'r'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the polite form 'kimasu' as 'kurimasu'.
- Making the vowel sounds too long ('kooo-ruuu').
- Not clearly distinguishing the 'k' sound.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read basic sentences, requires recognizing kanji for advanced.
Easy to write basic sentences, irregular conjugations require practice.
Easy to pronounce, but correct conjugation and politeness level are key.
Very common, so easy to hear, but distinguishing from similar sounds needs practice.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb Conjugation: Irregular Verbs
来る -> 来ます (kimasu), 来た (kita)
Particles: Destination Particle 'に'
駅に来る (Eki ni kuru)
Verb Stem + 来る
持ってくる (Motte kuru)
Examples by Level
犬が来る。
dog / comes.
Subject + が + Verb.
友達が来る。
friend / comes.
Use が for the subject.
バスが来る。
bus / comes.
The particle が marks the subject.
明日、来る。
tomorrow, / come.
Adverbs like 明日 (ashita) indicate time.
先生が来る。
teacher / comes.
Subject + が + Verb.
母が来る。
mother / comes.
Use が for the subject.
父が来る。
father / comes.
The particle が marks the subject.
雨が来る。
rain / comes.
Natural phenomena can also 'come'.
駅に電車が来ます。
station / to / train / comes.
Use に to mark the destination.
もうすぐパーティーが来ます。
soon / party / comes.
Use ます for polite speech.
彼は来週、日本に来ます。
he / next week, / Japan / to / comes.
来ます (kimasu) is the polite form of 来る (kuru).
新しい仕事が来ました。
new / job / came.
来ました (kimashita) is the past polite form.
いつ来ますか？
when / come?
Asking about arrival time.
父が明日来ます。
father / tomorrow / comes.
Combine subject, time, and verb.
春が来ると、暖かくなります。
spring / comes, / warm / becomes.
Using the conditional form (と) to link events.
その知らせは突然来ました。
that / news / suddenly / came.
来ました (kimashita) can describe the arrival of information.
会議に遅れないように、早めに家を出ました。
meeting / to / not be late / so that, / early / house / left.
The verb stem + ないように expresses 'in order not to...'
来週の月曜日に、新しいプロジェクトが始まります。
next week / Monday / on, / new / project / starts.
来週 (raishuu) means 'next week'.
彼の成功を祈っていたら、ついにその時が来た。
his / success / was praying for, / finally / that time / came.
その時が来た (sono toki ga kita) means 'the time has come'.
この問題は、私たちが予想していたよりも早く来た。
this / problem / we / expected / than / faster / came.
来た (kita) can refer to the arrival of a problem or situation.
来客があるので、部屋を掃除しなければなりません。
visitors / because there are, / room / clean / must do.
来客 (raikyaku) means 'visitor(s)'.
この機会が来るのをずっと待っていました。
this / opportunity / comes / 's / was waiting for.
Using the continuous form to express long anticipation.
新しいアイデアが頭に浮かんだ。
new / idea / head / in / floated.
浮かんだ (ukanda) is a synonym for 'came to mind'.
明日は雨が降るそうです。
tomorrow / rain / falls / it seems.
降る (furu) means 'to fall' (for rain/snow).
予期せぬ事態が次々と発生し、対応に追われた。
unexpected / situation / one after another / occurred, / response / busy with.
事態が発生する (jitai ga hassei suru) means 'a situation occurs'. 来る can be implied.
彼の決断が我々の将来にどのような影響をもたらすのか、まだ見通せない。
his / decision / our / future / on / what kind of / effect / bring about / whether, / still / cannot see.
もたらす (motarasu) means 'to bring about'. 来る can be used similarly.
長年の努力が実を結び、ついに目標達成の時が来た。
many years' / effort / bore fruit, / finally / goal achievement / time / came.
実を結ぶ (mi o musubu) means 'to bear fruit'.
この地域では、毎年夏になると観光客が押し寄せる。
this / region / in, / every year / summer / when it becomes, / tourists / surge.
押し寄せる (oshiyoseru) means 'to surge' or 'to flock'.
彼は来る者拒まずの姿勢で、どんな依頼にも応じていた。
he / things that come / not refuse / attitude / with, / any / request / to / was responding.
来る者拒まず (kuru mono kobamaza) is an idiom meaning 'open to allcomers'.
時代の変化は避けられず、我々もそれに適応しなければならない。
era / change / is unavoidable, / we / also / it / adapt / must do.
適応する (tekiou suru) means 'to adapt'.
彼の言葉は、まるで魔法のように私の心に響いた。
his / words / like magic / like / my / heart / resonated.
響いた (hibiita) means 'resonated' or 'struck a chord'.
このプロジェクトの成功は、関係者全員の尽力があってこそ実現した。
this / project / success / all involved parties' / effort / with only / realized.
あってこそ (atte koso) means 'precisely because of'.
その知らせは、まさに青天の霹靂であった。
that / news / truly / clear sky / thunderclap / was.
青天の霹靂 (seiten no hekireki) is an idiom for sudden, shocking news.
彼の芸術は、既存の枠にとらわれず、常に新しい表現を模索している。
his / art / existing / framework / by / not bound, / always / new / expression / seeking.
模索する (mosaku suru) means 'to seek' or 'to grope for'.
時代の潮流は、個人の力ではどうすることもできない奔流となって我々に迫る。
era / current / individual / power / by / cannot do anything / torrent / becoming / us / approaches.
奔流 (honryuu) means 'raging torrent', emphasizing the unstoppable nature of change.
彼女の批評は、時に厳しくとも、常に的を射たものであった。
her / criticism / sometimes / harsh / though, / always / the point / hit / was.
的を射る (mato o iru) means 'to hit the mark' or 'to be accurate'.
この古典文学作品は、現代においても色褪せることのない普遍的なテーマを扱っている。
this / classical literature / work / modern / even in / fade / without / universal / theme / handles.
色褪せる (iroaseru) means 'to fade' (of color or relevance).
彼の発言は、会議の空気を一変させるほどのインパクトがあった。
his / statement / meeting / atmosphere / completely change / enough / impact / had.
空気を一変させる (kuuki o ippen saseru) means 'to change the atmosphere drastically'.
我々は、未来への希望を胸に、この困難な時期を乗り越えなければならない。
we / future / towards / hope / in chest, / this / difficult / period / overcome / must do.
乗り越える (norikoeru) means 'to overcome' or 'to get over'.
その芸術家の作品は、見る者の心に静かな感動を呼び起こした。
that / artist's / work / viewer's / heart / in / quiet / emotion / evoked.
呼び起こす (yobiokosu) means 'to evoke' or 'to awaken'.
時の移ろいはかくも早く、我々が若かりし頃の面影は今や遠い記憶の彼方にある。
time / passing / is so / fast, / we / were young / 's / traces / now / distant / memory / beyond / are.
時の移ろい (toki no utsuroi) is a poetic expression for the passage of time.
その哲学者の思想は、後世に多大な影響を及ぼし、学問の新たな地平を切り開いた。
that / philosopher's / thought / later generations / on / great / influence / exerted, / scholarship / new / horizon / opened.
地平を切り開く (chihei o kirihiraku) means 'to open up new horizons'.
彼の文学作品における登場人物造形は、人間の心理の深淵を覗き見るかのようであった。
his / literary works / in / character creation / human / psyche / abyss / look into / as if / was.
深淵 (shinen) means 'abyss' or 'profound depth'.
この歴史的建造物は、幾多の変遷を経てなお往時の威容を偲ばせる。
this / historical building / many / changes / through / still / former times / majesty / evokes.
往時の威容 (ouji no iyou) refers to the grandeur of a past era.
彼の言葉は、単なる慰めを超え、聴く者の魂に直接語りかけるような響きを持っていた。
his / words / mere / comfort / beyond, / listener's / soul / directly / speak to / like / resonance / had.
魂 (tamashii) means 'soul'.
現代社会における人間関係の希薄化は、多くの人々にとって深刻な課題となっている。
modern society / in / human relationships / thinning / many / people / for / serious / issue / has become.
希薄化 (kihakuka) means 'dilution' or 'thinning'.
その芸術家の創造性の源泉は、日常の些細な出来事の中に潜む美意識にあった。
that / artist's / creativity / source / everyday / trivial / events / within / hidden / aesthetic sense / was.
美意識 (biishiki) means 'sense of beauty' or 'aesthetic consciousness'.
彼の人生は、栄光と挫折の繰り返しであり、その変転ぶりはまさに一幅の絵巻物であった。
his / life / glory / and / setbacks / repetition / was, / its / changing nature / truly / one scroll / picture scroll / was.
絵巻物 (emakimono) is a traditional Japanese narrative picture scroll.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"来るもの拒まず (kuru mono kobamaza)"
To be open to anything; not to refuse anything that comes one's way.
彼は来るもの拒まずの精神で、どんな仕事でも引き受ける。
neutral"時が来る (toki ga kuru)"
The time comes; the destined moment arrives.
待っていれば、いつか時が来るだろう。
neutral"来る日も来る日も (kuru hi mo kuru hi mo)"
Day after day; continuously.
来る日も来る日も、彼は同じ作業を繰り返した。
neutral"来るべき時 (kuru beki toki)"
The time to come; the future moment.
来るべき時に備えて、今から準備をしよう。
formal"火が来る (hi ga kuru)"
Danger approaches; a critical situation arises.
このままでは火が来るぞ！早く逃げろ！
casual"春が来る (haru ga kuru)"
Spring comes; metaphorically, a new beginning or better times arrive.
長い冬が終わり、ついに春が来た。
neutralEasily Confused
Both are verbs of motion, but their direction is opposite.
来る (kuru) is movement towards the speaker/reference point; 行く (iku) is movement away.
友達が来る (My friend is coming). 友達が行く (My friend is going).
It also involves movement, often towards a 'home' location.
帰る (kaeru) specifically means 'to return home'. 来る (kuru) is general 'to come'. You can come *to* someone's home, but you 'kaeru' *from* your own.
家に帰る (Go home). 家に来る (Come to the house).
Often involves people coming together.
会う (au) means 'to meet'. 来る (kuru) is the act of arriving at a location. You might say '友達が来る' (friend comes) and then '友達に会う' (meet friend).
駅に来る (Come to the station). 駅で会う (Meet at the station).
Both can describe events happening.
起こる (okoru) means 'to happen' or 'to occur' (often for events, incidents, problems). 来る (kuru) is more about arrival or approach, though it can be used for abstract arrivals like 'time comes'.
事故が起こった (An accident happened). 時が来た (The time came).
Sentence Patterns
Subject + は/が + 来る
猫は来る。(Neko wa kuru. - The cat comes.)
Place + に + 来る
東京に来る。(Toukyou ni kuru. - To come to Tokyo.)
Time + 来る
明日来る。(Ashita kuru. - Comes tomorrow.)
Verb (stem) + 来る
持って来る。(Motte kuru. - To bring.)
Noun + が + 来る
チャンスが来る。(Chansu ga kuru. - A chance comes.)
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Kuru implies movement towards the speaker or reference point. Iku is for movement away.
来る is an irregular verb. Its polite form is kimasu, not kurimasu.
The particle 'ni' is typically used to indicate the destination when coming.
While a friend might 'come' (kuru), the act of meeting them is usually expressed with 'au'.
While 'idea ga kuru' is possible, 'ukanda' (occurred, floated up) is often more natural for ideas.
Tips
Irregular Verb Power-Up
Since 来る is irregular, drill its forms (kimasu, kita, konai, kite) like a mantra! Write them down, say them aloud, and use them in practice sentences.
Speaker's Perspective
Always remember: 'kuru' is about movement TOWARDS the speaker or the point of reference. If it's moving away, use 'iku'!
Politeness Levels
Notice how Japanese has different verbs (kuru, mairu, irassharu) for 'come' based on politeness. This shows the importance of social hierarchy in communication.
Verb Stem + 来る
Master the pattern Verb Stem + 来る (e.g., 持ってくる) to express actions done towards the speaker. It's super common!
Clear 'Ki' Sound
Pay attention to the 'ki' sound in 'kimasu' and 'konai'. It's a key part of its irregular conjugation.
Destination Particle
Don't forget the particle 'ni' when indicating where someone is coming TO (e.g., 家に来る - ie ni kuru).
Ancient Roots
The irregularity of 'kuru' hints at its very old origins in the Japanese language, making it a linguistic treasure!
Contextual Learning
Instead of just memorizing 'kuru', try to find examples in anime, dramas, or songs. See how native speakers use it naturally!
Abstract Arrivals
Don't be afraid to use 'kuru' for non-physical arrivals like 'ideas' or 'opportunities'. It shows a deeper understanding of the word.
Past Tense Practice
Practice the past tense forms: 来た (kita - plain) and 来ました (kimashita - polite). They are essential for recounting events.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'curtain' (sounds like 'kuru') opening to reveal something coming onto the stage.
Visual Association
Picture someone waving hello as they walk towards you.
Word Web
Challenge
Try using 'kuru' in sentences describing things arriving today: the mail, a friend, dinner.
Word Origin
Old Japanese
Original meaning: The original form is thought to be *ku*, meaning movement towards the speaker.
Cultural Context
The choice between 'kuru', 'mairu', and 'irassharu' depends heavily on social context and the relationship between speakers, reflecting Japanese politeness norms (keigo).
In English, 'come' is used very broadly, similar to 'kuru'. However, English often uses more specific verbs like 'arrive', 'approach', 'visit', 'attend', etc., depending on the context. The politeness levels associated with Japanese verbs like 'mairu' and 'irassharu' don't have direct equivalents in the English 'come'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Visiting someone's home
- いつ来ますか？ (Itsu kimasu ka? - When will you come?)
- もうすぐ着きます。(Mou sugu tsukimasu. - I'll arrive soon.)
- どうぞお入りください。(Douzo ohairi kudasai. - Please come in.)
Public transportation
- 電車が来ます。(Densha ga kimasu. - The train is coming.)
- バスはまだ来ません。(Basu wa mada kimasen. - The bus hasn't come yet.)
- 次の電車はいつ来ますか？(Tsugi no densha wa itsu kimasu ka? - When does the next train come?)
Events and appointments
- 会議に来てください。(Kaigi ni kite kudasai. - Please come to the meeting.)
- パーティーが来週あります。(Paatii ga raishuu arimasu. - There is a party next week.)
- その日が来るのを待っています。(Sono hi ga kuru no o matte imasu. - I am waiting for that day to come.)
Receiving something
- 荷物が来ました。(Nimotsu ga kimashita. - The package has arrived.)
- 手紙が来た。(Tegami ga kita. - A letter came.)
- 新しい知らせが来る。(Atarashii shirase ga kuru. - New information is coming.)
Conversation Starters
"What time are you coming over?"
"When do you think the next bus will come?"
"Do you think good times will come soon?"
"Are you coming to the party tonight?"
"Did you hear the news? It just came!"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time someone important came into your life.
Write about a time you eagerly awaited something to come.
What changes do you hope will come in the future?
Describe a situation where you had to 'come' to a difficult decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions来る (kuru) means 'to come' (movement towards the speaker or reference point), while 行く (iku) means 'to go' (movement away from the speaker or reference point).
You use the verb stem + 来る. For objects, it's 持ってくる (motte kuru). For people, it's 連れてくる (tsurete kuru).
It's considered irregular, which means its conjugations need to be memorized. However, its meaning is very straightforward, making it one of the first verbs learners master.
来ます (kimasu) is the polite form, used when speaking to superiors, elders, or people you don't know well. 来る (kuru) is the plain/casual form, used among friends, family, or in informal writing.
Literally, it means 'Spring has come'. It's often used metaphorically to signify the arrival of better times or a new beginning.
Yes, for showing respect to the person coming, you would use honorific verbs like いらっしゃる (irassharu). For humbling yourself when you are coming, you use humble verbs like 参る (mairu).
Yes, it can. For example, パーティーが来る (paatii ga kuru) means 'The party is coming' or 'The party is approaching'.
The plain past tense is 来た (kita), and the polite past tense is 来ました (kimashita).
Test Yourself
友達が ____。
The sentence means 'A friend is ____'. '来る' (kuru) means 'to come', which fits the context of a friend arriving.
Which sentence means 'The train will come soon'?
電車 (densha) means 'train', and 来る (kuru) means 'to come'. The sentence '電車が来る' means 'The train comes/will come'.
The verb '来る' is a regular '-ru' verb.
来る (kuru) is famously an irregular verb in Japanese, meaning its conjugations do not follow the standard patterns.
Word
Meaning
These pairs match common phrases with 来る to their English meanings.
The correct sentence is '私は明日来る' (Watashi wa ashita kuru), meaning 'I will come tomorrow'.
バスが ____。
A bus is something that arrives or comes. '来る' fits this context.
What is the polite form of '来る'?
The polite form is 来ます (kimasu).
The verb '来る' can be used for abstract things like 'opportunity'.
Yes, it can be used for abstract concepts like '機会が来る' (kikai ga kuru - an opportunity comes).
The correct sentence is '明日、会議に来てください' (Ashita, kaigi ni kite kudasai), meaning 'Please come to the meeting tomorrow'.
彼の決断が我々の将来にどのような影響を ____ か、まだ見通せない。
もたらす (motarasu) means 'to bring about' or 'to cause', fitting the context of a decision's impact. While 与える (ataeru - to give) is similar, もたらす is often used for consequences.
Score: /10
Summary
Mastering '来る' (kuru) is essential for expressing movement and arrival in Japanese, from simple greetings to nuanced expressions.
- Meaning: To come, to approach.
- Type: Irregular Japanese verb.
- Usage: Physical movement, arrival of events/ideas.
- Key Forms: 来ます (kimasu), 来た (kita), 来ない (konai).
Irregular Verb Power-Up
Since 来る is irregular, drill its forms (kimasu, kita, konai, kite) like a mantra! Write them down, say them aloud, and use them in practice sentences.
Speaker's Perspective
Always remember: 'kuru' is about movement TOWARDS the speaker or the point of reference. If it's moving away, use 'iku'!
Politeness Levels
Notice how Japanese has different verbs (kuru, mairu, irassharu) for 'come' based on politeness. This shows the importance of social hierarchy in communication.
Verb Stem + 来る
Master the pattern Verb Stem + 来る (e.g., 持ってくる) to express actions done towards the speaker. It's super common!
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Related Phrases
More travel words
くらい/ぐらい
B1Particle indicating extent, degree, or 'about/approximately'.
宿泊
B1The act of staying overnight in a place, such as a hotel or guest house. Essential for IELTS General Task 1 letters regarding travel complaints or bookings.
入場料
B1The fee paid to enter a place.
入場券
B1A ticket allowing entry to an event or place.
冒険
B1Adventure; an exciting or unusual experience.
手頃
B1Reasonable in price or size; affordable, suitable.
〜の後に
B1After (a noun or event).
〜の後で
B1After (time or place), behind.
飛行場
A2Airport.
航空会社
B1Airline company.
