Translation guide
The English verb 'to come' covers movement toward the speaker, arrival, and many idiomatic uses. In Japanese, the core verb is 来る (くる), but natural expression often depends on context, politeness, and whether the movement is toward the speaker or someone else.
Expressing that someone or something moves to where the speaker is or will be.
The standard verb for 'to come'. Use when the subject moves toward the speaker's location or the speaker's perspective.
友達が家に来る。
A friend is coming to my house.
明日、学校に来てください。
Please come to school tomorrow.
Honorific form of 来る. Use when the subject is someone you respect (e.g., a teacher, boss, customer).
先生が教室にいらっしゃった。
The teacher came to the classroom.
Humble form of 来る. Use when you or your in-group come to a place associated with someone of higher status.
明日、御社に参ります。
I will come to your office tomorrow.
Emphasizes the process of coming, often with a sense of 'turning up' or 'arriving' after some effort or time.
彼が突然やって来た。
He suddenly showed up.
Focusing on the act of arriving rather than the movement itself.
Means 'to arrive'. Use when the emphasis is on reaching a place, not the journey.
電車は何時に着きますか。
What time does the train come (arrive)?
もうすぐ着くよ。
I'm coming (arriving) soon.
Formal word for 'arrive'. Common in announcements and written contexts.
飛行機は定刻に到着した。
The plane arrived on time.
Expressing that someone comes together with the speaker or another person.
Literally 'come together'. The most natural way to say 'come with me/us'.
一緒に来てくれませんか。
Won't you come with me?
彼も一緒に来る？
Is he coming along too?
Means 'to follow' or 'come along after'. Implies the person is following the speaker.
Expressing the purpose of coming, often with 'to' + verb in English.
Attach to the stem of a verb (masu-form without ます) to express 'come to do something'.
More formal or explicit way to state purpose. Attach to dictionary form of verb or noun + の.
勉強するために日本に来ました。
I came to Japan to study.
Expressing where someone or something originates.
Standard way to say 'come from' a place.
私はアメリカから来ました。
I come from America.
この手紙は誰から来たの？
Who did this letter come from?
Noun meaning 'origin' or 'hometown'. Often used in self-introductions.
出身はどこですか。
Where do you come from?
Expressing a change of state, often translated as 'become' or 'get'.
Attach to dictionary form of verb to express 'come to do' or 'reach the point where'. Indicates a gradual change.
日本語が話せるようになった。
I've come to be able to speak Japanese.
彼は遅くまで働くようになった。
He has come to work late.
Attach to te-form of verb to indicate a change that has been occurring up to now or will occur in the future.
だんだん分かってきた。
I've come to understand gradually.
これから寒くなってくる。
It will come to be cold from now on.
Expressing that an idea or thought comes to someone.
Literally 'float into one's head'. Natural way to say an idea comes to mind.
いい考えが頭に浮かんだ。
A good idea came to mind.
Means 'to come to mind' or 'occur to one'. Often used for memories or ideas.
その名前が思い浮かばない。
That name doesn't come to mind.
Expressing that an event or time comes.
English often uses 'come' where Japanese uses other verbs. For example, 'come with me' is 一緒に来る, but 'come along' as in 'bring' is 持って来る. Also, 'come' in 'come to understand' is not 来る but 〜ようになる or 〜てくる.
When talking about someone of higher status coming, use いらっしゃる instead of 来る. When you yourself go to a superior's place, use 参る. In casual settings, 来る is fine.
犬が付いて来た。
The dog came along (followed me).