Translation guide
The act of taking something temporarily with the intention of returning it, or the act of adopting words, ideas, or money from another source. Japanese has distinct verbs for different types of borrowing, and the choice depends on the nature of the object and the relationship between the parties.
To take and use something belonging to someone else with the intention of returning it.
General verb for borrowing physical items. Used when the borrower is the subject. The lender is marked with に or から.
友達に本を借りました。
I borrowed a book from a friend.
図書館でDVDを借りた。
I borrowed a DVD from the library.
Also used for borrowing money from a person or institution, though 借金する is more specific for loans.
銀行からお金を借りる。
Borrow money from a bank.
Humble form (謙譲語) used when the speaker borrows something from a superior or in very formal situations. Literally 'humbly borrow'.
お手洗いを拝借してもよろしいでしょうか。
May I use your restroom? (very polite)
To receive money from a person or financial institution with the agreement to pay it back, often with interest.
Specifically means to borrow money or go into debt. Often implies a formal loan or a sum that needs to be repaid.
彼は友人から借金した。
He borrowed money from a friend.
家を買うために銀行で借金した。
I took out a loan from the bank to buy a house.
Means 'to take out a loan', often from a bank or financial institution. ローン is a loan (e.g., car loan, mortgage).
車のローンを組んだ。
I took out a car loan.
Can be used for borrowing money in casual contexts, but 借金する is more explicit about debt.
To adopt a word, phrase, or concept from another language or culture.
Formal term for borrowing words or ideas. Often used in academic or linguistic contexts.
日本語は多くの漢語を中国語から借用した。
Japanese borrowed many kango (Chinese-derived words) from Chinese.
Refers to loanwords, especially those from Western languages. Not a verb, but the noun for borrowed words.
「コンピューター」は外来語です。
'Konpyūtā' is a loanword.
Can be used metaphorically for borrowing ideas or expressions, but 借用する is more precise.
To make use of a place or facility that belongs to someone else for a short time.
Used for renting or borrowing spaces like rooms, halls, or equipment.
会議室を借りたいのですが。
I'd like to borrow/rent a meeting room.
友達のアパートを一晩借りた。
I borrowed my friend's apartment for one night.
Polite/humble form of 借りる. Commonly used in service situations.
お手洗いをお借りできますか。
May I use your restroom? (polite)
To describe a temporary state that will eventually end, often used metaphorically.
Something borrowed; not one's own. Can be used literally or figuratively.
彼の成功は借り物の力によるものだ。
His success is due to borrowed power.
Being in a position of dependence or indebtedness. Often used humbly.
借りている身で大きなことは言えない。
Being in a borrowed position, I can't say much.
借りる is the general verb for borrowing physical items or money casually. 借金する specifically means to borrow money or incur debt. 借用する is formal and used for borrowing words, ideas, or in official contexts.
The English 'borrow' and 'lend' are distinct. In Japanese, 借りる means to borrow, while 貸す means to lend. Using the wrong verb can cause confusion.
When asking to borrow something, use 借りてもいいですか or the humble 拝借する／お借りする in formal situations. Simply saying 借りる can sound abrupt.
ペンを借りてもいいですか。
Can I borrow your pen?
兄に100ドル借りた。
I borrowed $100 from my brother.
日本語は英語から多くの言葉を借用している。
Japanese has borrowed many words from English.
Can I borrow some money? (casual)
This expression is borrowed from English.