Translation guide
The English phrase 'come to' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: arriving at a place, regaining consciousness, reaching a total or decision, and happening to someone. Each meaning requires different Japanese expressions.
To reach or arrive at a destination, especially when the destination is the speaker's or listener's location.
The basic verb for 'come'. Use when the movement is toward the speaker or the speaker's in-group.
友達が家に来た。
A friend came to my house.
Please come to school tomorrow.
Honorific form of 来る. Use when the person coming is someone you respect.
The teacher has come.
Humble form of 来る. Use when you or your in-group are coming to a place associated with someone of higher status.
I will come to your office tomorrow.
A slightly more emphatic or colloquial way to say 'come', often implying 'show up' or 'arrive'.
He suddenly showed up.
To wake up after being unconscious, fainting, or under anesthesia.
Literally 'consciousness returns'. The most common and natural way to say 'come to' in this sense.
He came to after a few minutes.
Literally 'return to sanity/consciousness'. Can also mean 'come to one's senses'.
She finally came to.
Literally 'open one's eyes'. Often used for waking up from sleep, but can also mean regaining consciousness.
To add up to a certain number or amount.
Pattern meaning 'to come to a total of ~'. Use with numbers.
The expenses came to 50,000 yen.
Means 'to reach (an amount)'. More formal.
The donations came to 1 million yen.
To arrive at a decision, agreement, or understanding after consideration.
Formal pattern for 'come to the conclusion that ~'.
We came to the conclusion that we should cancel the plan.
Means 'decide to do ~'. More common in everyday speech.
Specifically for 'come to an agreement'.
The two companies came to an agreement.
To happen to or affect someone, often used in questions or with 'what has come to...'.
Natural way to ask 'what has come to (happened to) ~?'.
I don't know what has come to him.
Another way to ask 'what has become of ~?' or 'what has come to ~?'.
What has come to that old house?
To gradually start doing something or reach a state where you do something.
Pattern meaning 'come to (do) ~'. Indicates a change over time resulting in a new ability or habit.
I've come to be able to speak Japanese.
He has come to jog every morning.
Pattern meaning 'it has come to be that ~' or 'it has been decided that ~'. Often used for external circumstances.
It has come to be that I will be transferred to Osaka next month.
The English 'come to' meaning 'regain consciousness' cannot be translated as 来る. Use 意識が戻る or similar phrases.
He finally came to.
English 'come' and 'go' are based on the speaker's perspective, but Japanese 来る and 行く are based on the speaker's location or in-group. Use 来る when movement is toward the speaker's location or group, and 行く when movement is away.
I'm coming over there now. (lit. I'm going there now.)
彼は病院で目を覚ました。
He came to in the hospital.
After discussion, we came to the decision to move.