Translation guide
The English verb 'borrow' covers several distinct situations in Japanese. The most common equivalent is 借りる (for general borrowing of objects, money, etc.), but Japanese often uses different verbs depending on what is borrowed, the formality, and whether you are borrowing or lending. This guide helps learners choose the right expression.
To take and use something belonging to someone else with the intention of returning it.
The most common and general verb for borrowing. Used for physical objects, money, and even abstract things like ideas. Note: 借りる is transitive; the thing borrowed is marked with を, and the person you borrow from is marked with に or から.
友達にお金を借りた。
I borrowed money from a friend.
図書館で本を借りました。
I borrowed a book from the library.
Also used for borrowing intangible things like ideas, words, or concepts.
A very formal and humble way to say 'borrow'. Often used in business or when asking to borrow something from a superior. Literally 'humbly borrow'.
お手洗いを拝借してもよろしいでしょうか。
May I borrow your restroom? (very polite)
Specifically borrowing money, often from a bank or institution, or creating a debt.
Still the most common verb for borrowing money in everyday contexts.
Borrowing things like cars, apartments, or equipment, often involving a rental agreement.
Still works for renting apartments, cars, etc., but often implies a longer-term arrangement.
Adopting a word or concept from another language.
Used metaphorically for linguistic borrowing.
Warning: English 'borrow' and 'lend' are often confused. Japanese distinguishes them clearly.
貸す (kasu) means 'to lend', 借りる (kariru) means 'to borrow'. Do not mix them up. The subject of 貸す is the lender; the subject of 借りる is the borrower.
私は彼にお金を貸した。
I lent him money.
私は彼にお金を借りた。
I borrowed money from him.
借りる (borrow) and 貸す (lend) are directional opposites. The borrower is the subject of 借りる, and the lender is the subject of 貸す. The person you borrow from is marked with に or から. The person you lend to is marked with に.
In English, we sometimes say 'Can I borrow your pen?' when we mean 'Can I use your pen?' In Japanese, if you just want to use something briefly without taking it away, 使う (つかう) is more natural. 借りる implies taking it with you.
This expression is borrowed from English.
銀行からお金を借りる。
Borrow money from a bank.
Specifically means 'to borrow money' or 'to get into debt'. Often used when the borrowing creates a debt that needs to be repaid.
彼は借金して車を買った。
He borrowed money to buy a car.
Formal term for receiving a loan, often from a financial institution.
事業拡大のために銀行から融資を受けた。
We borrowed funds from the bank for business expansion.
アパートを借りる。
Rent an apartment.
Common for short-term rentals like cars, DVDs, equipment. From English 'rental'.
車をレンタルした。
I rented a car.
Formal/legal term for leasing or renting property.
事務所を賃借する契約を結んだ。
We signed a contract to lease an office.
日本語は多くの言葉を中国語から借りている。
Japanese has borrowed many words from Chinese.
More formal term for borrowing words or ideas.
この用語は英語から借用された。
This term was borrowed from English.
Can I use your pen? (casual)
ペンを借りてもいい？
Can I borrow your pen? (implies taking it away)
ペンを使ってもいい？
Can I use your pen? (casual)
ペンを借りてもいい？
Can I borrow your pen? (implies taking it away)