Translation guide
The English verb "attend" covers several distinct meanings, each requiring different Japanese expressions. The most common uses are attending events, going to school, and being present. Direct translation often fails.
Expressing that you go to and participate in a planned event like a meeting, party, concert, or ceremony.
He attended the wedding.
Means 'to participate' in an event or activity. More active involvement than 出席. Use for workshops, parties, volunteer activities.
パーティーに参加しませんか？
Would you like to attend the party?
多くの人がそのイベントに参加した。
Many people attended the event.
Simple verb 'to go'. Very common in casual speech. Can imply attendance when context is clear.
明日のライブに行く？
Are you going to attend the concert tomorrow?
会議に行ってきます。
I'm off to attend the meeting.
Expressing that someone is enrolled in and regularly goes to an educational institution or course.
Means 'to commute' or 'to attend regularly'. Used for schools, classes, or any place you go to repeatedly.
私は東京大学に通っています。
I attend the University of Tokyo.
彼女は週に2回日本語のクラスに通っている。
She attends Japanese class twice a week.
Formal verb meaning 'to be enrolled in' a school. Focuses on the status of being a student.
彼は現在、高校に在学しています。
He currently attends high school.
Simple 'go' can be used for attending school, especially in casual contexts.
毎日学校に行っています。
I attend school every day.
Indicating that someone is physically present at an event or location, often in official contexts.
Very formal verb meaning 'to attend' in the sense of being present as an honored guest or official. Used for imperial or high-level events.
天皇陛下が式典に臨席された。
The Emperor attended the ceremony.
Formal verb meaning 'to be present' at a meeting or ceremony, often as a participant among others.
多数の来賓が列席した。
Many guests attended.
Going somewhere with someone, often to assist or as a companion.
Means 'to attend' as in accompanying someone, especially to take care of them (e.g., a patient, child).
看護師が患者に付き添った。
The nurse attended the patient.
母は子供の入学式に付き添った。
The mother attended her child's entrance ceremony.
Formal verb meaning 'to accompany' on a trip or visit. Often used in business contexts.
部長に同行して大阪へ行った。
I attended my boss on a trip to Osaka.
Handling a task, matter, or need; giving attention to something.
Means 'to deal with' or 'to attend to' a matter, request, or problem. Common in business.
お客様のご要望に対応します。
We will attend to the customer's request.
急ぎの仕事に対応しなければならない。
I have to attend to urgent work.
Means 'to take care of' a person or animal. Implies looking after someone's needs.
彼女は病気の母親の世話をしている。
She attends to her sick mother.
Means 'to process' or 'to handle' paperwork, tasks, etc. More mechanical than 対応.
書類を早く処理してください。
Please attend to the documents quickly.
出席する is formal and implies official attendance. Using it for a casual party or hangout sounds unnatural. Use 参加する or simply 行く instead.
明日の飲み会に行く？
Are you going to the drinking party tomorrow?
出席する emphasizes being present as a member or invitee (meetings, classes). 参加する emphasizes active participation (workshops, volunteer events). For many events, both are possible, but 参加 sounds more engaged.
For attending school, 通う is the most natural verb. 行く is also common in casual speech. Avoid 出席する for regular school attendance unless referring to a specific class session or ceremony.