伺う · godan verb (-u)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 伺う | 伺わない |
| Polite | 伺います | 伺いません |
| Past polite | 伺いました | 伺いませんでした |
| Past | 伺った | 伺わなかった |
| Te-form | 伺って | 伺わないで |
| Desire | 伺いたい | 伺いたくない |
| Potential | 伺える | 伺えない |
| Passive | 伺われる | 伺われない |
| Causative | 伺わせる | 伺わせない |
| Causative passive | 伺わせられるalso 伺わされる | 伺わせられないalso 伺わされない |
| Volitional | 伺おう | |
| Polite volitional | 伺いましょう | |
| Imperative | 伺え | 伺うな |
| Conditional | 伺えば | 伺わなければ |
| Tara conditional | 伺ったら | 伺わなかったら |
godan verb (-u), transitive verb
Humble verb for visiting a superior, client, or respected person. The speaker's own action is lowered to show respect.
明日、先生のお宅に伺います。
I will visit the teacher's home tomorrow.
Thank you for letting me visit the other day when you were busy.
godan verb (-u), transitive verb
Humble verb for asking a question or making an inquiry to a superior or someone deserving respect.
Excuse me, I have something I'd like to ask you.
May I ask your name?
godan verb (-u), transitive verb
hear; be told
Humble verb for hearing or being told something by a superior. Often used when receiving information or news.
I heard that story from the department head.
I heard you got married, so please accept my congratulations.
godan verb (-u), transitive verb
implore (a god); seek direction (from a superior)
Used for humbly seeking guidance or an oracle from a deity or a superior. Somewhat formal and limited to specific contexts.
I humbly seek an oracle from the god.
I sought direction from my boss on the future policy.
godan verb (-u), intransitive verb
speak to (a large crowd)
Rare, intransitive use derived from 御機嫌を伺う. Refers to addressing a large audience, such as at a theater. Not used in modern everyday speech.
In the past, actors would sometimes address the audience from the stage.
I will visit your company tomorrow.
I asked the teacher for directions.
I had the honor of hearing your valuable story.
I would like to ask about your availability next week.
伺う is the humble form used when speaking of one's own visit to a superior or client, while 訪問 is the neutral, formal term for visiting.
伺う is the humble form used when visiting someone of higher status, while 訪ねる is the neutral, everyday word for visiting.
伺う is the humble form used when asking someone of higher status, whereas 尋ねる is the neutral, more formal verb for asking.
伺う is the humble form used when speaking of going to a superior's or client's place, while 出向く is a neutral verb for the same action.
伺う is the humble verb for 'to visit/call on,' used for one's own visit, in contrast to お越し which honors someone else's coming.
summer greeting card; midsummer inquiry after someone's health