Translation guide
Expressing origin, source, or background. Japanese uses different constructions depending on whether you mean physical movement from a place, origin of a person/thing, or abstract cause.
Where do you come from? (origin)
I come from Tokyo.
This wine comes from France.
To say that someone or something has arrived from a location.
To state where someone or something originates, such as hometown, country, or manufacturer.
Used for a person's origin (hometown, country, school). Attach to a place name.
I'm from Osaka.
He is from the US.
Can also mean 'come from' in the sense of origin, but 出身 is more natural for personal background.
This letter came from abroad.
Used for products or agricultural goods to indicate place of production.
This wine is from France.
To indicate that something results from or originates in an abstract source, like an idea, feeling, or situation.
Literally 'comes from', used for abstract origins like emotions, ideas, or problems.
The problem comes from a misunderstanding.
His confidence comes from experience.
More formal, often used for historical or etymological origins.
This word comes from Latin.
Means 'due to' or 'caused by', often used when the source is a direct cause.
The accident comes from carelessness.
When talking about where you are from (hometown/country), 出身 is the most natural. から来た can sound like you just arrived from that place. For example, 東京から来ました implies you traveled from Tokyo, while 東京出身です means Tokyo is your hometown.
I'm from Tokyo (my hometown).
I came from Tokyo (just now).
Using から来る for a person's origin can be ambiguous or unnatural. Stick to 出身 for birthplace or alma mater.