来
come, due, next, cause, become
Readings
On'yomi
- ライ
- タイ
Kun'yomi
- く.る
- きた.る
- きた.す
- き.たす
- き.たる
- き
- こ
Nanori
- くり
- くる
- ごろ
- さ
Meaning
来 centers on movement toward a point: coming, arriving, or the next thing approaching. The senses of causing or becoming something grow from the idea of bringing about a new state.
Most common words using 来
24 of 421- 出来るできるN5
to be able to do; to be possible; to be permitted (to do)
- 来るくるN5
to come (spatially or temporally); to approach; to arrive
- 出来しゅったい
occurrence; happening; taking place
- 出来でき
workmanship; craftsmanship; execution; finish
- 未来みらいN3
(distant) future
- 以来いらいN3
since; henceforth
- 本来ほんらいN2
originally; primarily
- 将来しょうらいN5
future; (future) prospects
- 来年らいねんN5
next year
- 出来事できごとN3
occurrence; happening; incident; event
- 従来じゅうらいN2
up to now; so far
- 来週らいしゅうN5
next week
- 由来ゆらいN2
origin; source; history; derivation
- 出来るだけできるだけN4
as much as one can; as much as possible; if at all possible
- 来店らいてん
coming to a store (restaurant, bar, shop, etc.)
- やって来るやってくるN1
to come along; to come around; to turn up
- 来日らいにちN3
coming to Japan; visit to Japan; arrival in Japan
- 来月らいげつN5
next month
- 外来がいらいN1
foreign; imported
- 到来とうらいN1
arrival; coming; advent
- 出来上がりできあがりN3
completion; finish
- 古来こらい
from ancient times; from old times; from time immemorial
- 行き来ゆききN2
coming and going; keeping in touch; visiting each other
- 在来ざいらい
pre-existing; already there; conventional
Study
Etymology
来 originally depicted a wheat plant, and it was borrowed early on for the similar-sounding word meaning 'to come'. The modern form retains the plant-like shape.
Meaning mnemonic
Picture a wheat stalk bending toward you as if it is coming closer. The top stroke is like a grain-heavy head nodding forward.
Reading mnemonic
For ライ, imagine a line of wheat plants coming toward you: line -> ライ, and the wheat comes.