Translation guide
How to express 'come up with' in Japanese, covering ideas, solutions, money, and excuses.
To produce a new idea, plan, or solution through thinking.
The most common and natural way to say 'come up with' for ideas, plans, or solutions. It implies a spontaneous thought.
I came up with a good idea.
It took time to come up with a solution.
Emphasizes the process of thinking something out or devising it. Slightly more deliberate than 思いつく.
We came up with a new system.
Formal term for devising or inventing, often used in business or technical contexts.
We came up with an efficient method.
To find or provide something needed, especially money or resources, often under pressure.
General term for preparing or providing something needed. Works well for money, documents, etc.
I have to come up with the money for the trip.
He came up with the cash right away.
Specifically means to scrape together or manage to raise money, often with difficulty.
I somehow came up with the money.
Formal term for squeezing out funds or resources, often used in budgeting.
We need to come up with it from the budget.
To create something fictional or false, like an excuse or a story.
To fabricate or make up a story, excuse, or lie. Often has a negative connotation.
He came up with an excuse.
To create or produce something, can be used for fabricating stories or ideas, but also for genuine creation.
Formal term for fabrication or forgery, often used in legal or media contexts.
He is suspected of coming up with fabricated evidence.
The English phrasal verb 'come up with' has no single direct equivalent. Always choose the Japanese expression based on what is being produced: an idea, money, an excuse, etc.
That story is completely made up.
She came up with an interesting character.