Translation guide
The English phrase 'come to' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: arriving at a place, regaining consciousness, reaching a total or decision, and happening to someone. Each meaning requires different Japanese expressions.
To reach or arrive at a destination, especially when the destination is the speaker's or listener's location.
The basic verb for 'come'. Use when the movement is toward the speaker or the speaker's in-group.
A friend came 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 person coming is someone you respect.
先生がいらっしゃいました。
The teacher has come.
Humble form of 来る. Use when you or your in-group are coming 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.
A slightly more emphatic or colloquial way to say 'come', often implying 'show up' or 'arrive'.
彼が突然やって来た。
He suddenly showed up.
To wake up after being unconscious, fainting, or under anesthesia.
Literally 'consciousness returns'. The most common and natural way to say 'come to' in this sense.
彼は数分後に意識が戻った。
He came to after a few minutes.
Literally 'return to sanity/consciousness'. Can also mean 'come to one's senses'.
彼女はやっと正気に戻った。
She finally came to.
Literally 'open one's eyes'. Often used for waking up from sleep, but can also mean regaining consciousness.
To add up to a certain number or amount.
Pattern meaning 'to come to a total of ~'. Use with numbers.
費用は合計で５万円になった。
The expenses came to 50,000 yen.
Means 'to reach (an amount)'. More formal.
寄付金は１００万円に達した。
The donations came to 1 million yen.
To arrive at a decision, agreement, or understanding after consideration.
Formal pattern for 'come to the conclusion that ~'.
我々はその計画を中止するという結論に達した。
We came to the conclusion that we should cancel the plan.
Means 'decide to do ~'. More common in everyday speech.
話し合いの結果、引っ越すことに決めた。
After discussion, we came to the decision to move.
Specifically for 'come to an agreement'.
両社は合意に達した。
The two companies came to an agreement.
To happen to or affect someone, often used in questions or with 'what has come to...'.
Natural way to ask 'what has come to (happened to) ~?'.
彼に何が起こったのか分からない。
I don't know what has come to him.
Another way to ask 'what has become of ~?' or 'what has come to ~?'.
あの古い家はどうなったのか。
What has come to that old house?
To gradually start doing something or reach a state where you do something.
Pattern meaning 'come to (do) ~'. Indicates a change over time resulting in a new ability or habit.
日本語が話せるようになった。
I've come to be able to speak Japanese.
彼は毎朝ジョギングするようになった。
He has come to jog every morning.
Pattern meaning 'it has come to be that ~' or 'it has been decided that ~'. Often used for external circumstances.
来月、大阪に転勤することになった。
It has come to be that I will be transferred to Osaka next month.
The English 'come to' meaning 'regain consciousness' cannot be translated as 来る. Use 意識が戻る or similar phrases.
彼はやっと意識が戻った。
He finally came to.
English 'come' and 'go' are based on the speaker's perspective, but Japanese 来る and 行く are based on the speaker's location or in-group. Use 来る when movement is toward the speaker's location or group, and 行く when movement is away.
今、そっちに行くよ。
I'm coming over there now. (lit. I'm going there now.)
彼は病院で目を覚ました。
He came to in the hospital.