Translation guide
The English word "visiting" can refer to going to see a person, a place, or attending an event. In Japanese, the appropriate expression depends on the purpose, destination, and level of formality. This guide covers common ways to express visiting someone's home, a place for sightseeing, a hospital, a grave, and more.
To go to see someone, usually at their place, for social or business reasons.
A general verb meaning to visit someone, often with a purpose. Can be used for homes, offices, etc.
I visited a friend.
I plan to visit my teacher next week.
A more formal verb for visiting, often used in business or official contexts.
I will visit a client tomorrow.
Literally 'go to play', used for casual visits to friends or family.
I'm going to visit a friend's house this weekend.
A humble expression used when visiting someone's home, literally 'to intrude'. Often said upon entering.
Thank you for having me. (said when entering someone's home)
To go to a place for tourism or to see a famous site.
A somewhat literary verb for visiting a place, often used for tourist destinations or memorable locations.
Many tourists visit Kyoto.
To go sightseeing, specifically for tourism.
I went sightseeing in Tokyo.
The simple verb 'to go' is often sufficient when the context is clear.
To go to see someone who is ill or in the hospital.
To go to a grave to pay respects.
To access or browse a website.
The most direct translation for visiting a website, borrowed from English.
Please visit our website.
Can be used for websites in a slightly more formal or written context.
Many people visit this site.
Casually means 'to look at' a website.
訪ねる (tazuneru) is for visiting people, 訪れる (otozureru) is for visiting places (often with a literary nuance), and 訪問する (houmon suru) is formal and used for both people and places in official contexts.
While 訪ねる can technically be used for places, it sounds unnatural. Use 訪れる or simply 行く for visiting locations.
I visited Asakusa last week.
The company president was hospitalized, so I paid a visit.
I visited an interesting website yesterday.