Tips
Basic Meaning of Mairu
Understand that 参る (まい•る, mairu) primarily means 'to visit' a sacred place like a shrine or temple, or 'to go/come' in a humble manner.
Humble Language
Remember that 参る is a humble form of 行く (iku, to go) and 来る (kuru, to come). You use it when talking about your own actions to show respect to the person you are speaking to.
Using Mairu for Visiting
When using 参る for visiting, it's often in contexts like visiting a shrine (神社に参る, jinja ni mairu) or a grave (お墓に参る, ohaka ni mairu). This usage emphasizes a reverent or respectful visit.
Mairu in Business Settings
In business, you might hear 参る used when a junior employee says 'I will go' or 'I will come' to a meeting or a client's office. It conveys politeness and humility.
Common Phrases with Mairu
Practice common phrases. For example, '失礼いたしました' (shitsurei itashimashita) uses 参る as part of 'いたす' (itasu), a humble form of 'する' (suru, to do), meaning 'I have been rude' or 'I apologize'.
Distinguishing Mairu from Iku/Kuru
While 参る can mean 'to go/come', it's not a direct replacement for 行く and 来る in all situations. Use 参る specifically when you want to express humility or when referring to a sacred visit.
Cultural Context of Shrine Visits
Understanding the cultural significance of visiting shrines and temples will help you grasp why a specific humble verb like 参る is used. It reflects a sense of reverence.
Avoid Using Mairu for Others
Never use 参る when talking about someone else's actions, unless you are quoting them directly or using it in a very specific, formal context where you are being humble *to* them. It's usually about your own actions.
Mairu as 'to be defeated'
In a more advanced context, 参る can also mean 'to be defeated' or 'to be overcome by something difficult. For example, '暑さで参る' (atsusa de mairu) means 'I'm overcome by the heat'.
Practice Different Contexts
Try to create sentences using 参る in both its 'visit/go/come' humble sense and its 'be defeated' sense to solidify your understanding of its versatile meanings.
Test Yourself 6 questions
私は明日お寺に___ます。
「行きます」is the correct verb for 'to go'. '参る' is a humble form, but at A1 level, the basic form is more appropriate for general use.
私たちは来週神社に___。
「来ます」means 'to come', which fits the context of visiting a shrine.
毎日学校に___か。
「行きます」is used for 'to go to school'.
おばあさんはお墓に___。
「来ます」can be used when someone comes to a grave.
週末、デパートに___。
「行きます」means 'to go', which is suitable for going to a department store.
どこへ___か。
「どこへ行きますか」is a common A1 phrase meaning 'Where are you going?'.
/ 6 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning of Mairu
Understand that 参る (まい•る, mairu) primarily means 'to visit' a sacred place like a shrine or temple, or 'to go/come' in a humble manner.
Humble Language
Remember that 参る is a humble form of 行く (iku, to go) and 来る (kuru, to come). You use it when talking about your own actions to show respect to the person you are speaking to.
Using Mairu for Visiting
When using 参る for visiting, it's often in contexts like visiting a shrine (神社に参る, jinja ni mairu) or a grave (お墓に参る, ohaka ni mairu). This usage emphasizes a reverent or respectful visit.
Mairu in Business Settings
In business, you might hear 参る used when a junior employee says 'I will go' or 'I will come' to a meeting or a client's office. It conveys politeness and humility.
Example
お寺に初詣に参りました。
Related Content
More family words
還暦
B160th birthday (celebration of completing a 60-year cycle).
〜くらい
B1About; approximately; to the extent that.
認め合う
B1To recognize each other's worth; to acknowledge.
知人
B1Acquaintance.
顔見知り
A2Acquaintance; someone you know by sight.
甘える
B1To be spoiled, to fawn; to behave like a pampered child.
活発な
B1Active; lively; vigorous.
思春期
B1Adolescence; the period of transition from childhood to adulthood.
養子
B1Adopted child; a child taken into one's family by legal means.
養親
B2Adoptive parent.
