参る
参る · godan verb (-ru)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 参る | 参らない |
| Polite | 参ります | 参りません |
| Past polite | 参りました | 参りませんでした |
| Past | 参った | 参らなかった |
| Te-form | 参って | 参らないで |
| Desire | 参りたい | 参りたくない |
| Potential | 参れる | 参れない |
| Passive | 参られる | 参られない |
| Causative | 参らせる | 参らせない |
| Causative passive | 参らせられるalso 参らされる | 参らせられないalso 参らされない |
| Volitional | 参ろう | |
| Polite volitional | 参りましょう | |
| Imperative | 参れ | 参るな |
| Conditional | 参れば | 参らなければ |
| Tara conditional | 参ったら | 参らなかったら |
Meanings
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
Humble (kenjougo) verb for going, coming, or calling on someone. Used to show respect to the listener by lowering the speaker's action. Usually written in kana.
I will come to your house tomorrow.
I'll be right there.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
Euphemistic or indirect expression for being defeated, collapsing, or dying. Often used in sports, business, or to soften the impact of failure or death.
I was completely defeated in the match.
I feel like I'm going to collapse from the heat.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
Expresses being troubled, annoyed, or at a loss. Often used when someone's behavior or a situation causes frustration or bewilderment.
His selfishness really gets to me.
That question stumped me.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
be madly in love
Indicates being head over heels in love, often to the point of being helpless or foolish. Colloquial and somewhat old-fashioned.
I'm completely smitten with her.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
Used for visiting a shrine or grave, often in compound nouns like 墓参り (grave visit). Can be used as a standalone verb, but less common than お参りする.
See also: 墓参り
During Obon, we visit our ancestors' graves.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉へ参るto go/come to a place (humble)
Today I have come to our company's exhibition.
- 〈事〉に参るto be beaten down/overcome by something
This heat has really done me in.
- 〈人〉のわがままに参るto be worn out/annoyed by someone's selfish behavior
I always end up exasperated by his selfishness.
- 〈人〉に参るto fall head over heels for someone
I fell completely for her smile.
- 〈場所〉に参るto visit (a shrine or grave)
Every year I visit the local guardian shrine.
- すぐに参りますI'll be right there/right on it (polite set phrase)
I'll be right there, so please wait just a moment.
Expressions
- 丑の刻参りcursing ritual at the hour of the ox
- 丑の時参りcursing ritual at 2am; nail-doll curse
- 牛に引かれて善光寺参りunexpected good fortune through another's invitation