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.
I will attend the meeting.
He attended the wedding.
Means 'to participate' in an event or activity. More active involvement than 出席. Use for workshops, parties, volunteer activities.
Would you like to attend the party?
Many people attended the event.
Simple verb 'to go'. Very common in casual speech. Can imply attendance when context is clear.
Are you going to attend the concert tomorrow?
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.
I attend the University of Tokyo.
She attends Japanese class twice a week.
Formal verb meaning 'to be enrolled in' a school. Focuses on the status of being a student.
He currently attends high school.
Simple 'go' can be used for attending school, especially in casual contexts.
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.
The Emperor attended the ceremony.
Formal verb meaning 'to be present' at a meeting or ceremony, often as a participant among others.
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).
The nurse attended the patient.
Formal verb meaning 'to accompany' on a trip or visit. Often used in business contexts.
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.
We will attend to the customer's request.
I have to attend to urgent work.
Means 'to take care of' a person or animal. Implies looking after someone's needs.
Means 'to process' or 'to handle' paperwork, tasks, etc. More mechanical than 対応.
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.
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.
I attend school every day.
The mother attended her child's entrance ceremony.
She attends to her sick mother.