Translation guide
The English word 'coming' can refer to physical arrival, future events, or the act of accompanying someone. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Expressing that someone or something is arriving or approaching.
The most common verb for 'to come'. Used for people, things, or events arriving.
A friend is coming to my house.
春が来た。
Spring has come.
Honorific form of 来る, used when the person coming is of higher status or to show respect.
先生がいらっしゃいました。
The teacher has come.
Very formal honorific for 'to come', often used in business or official contexts.
お客様がお越しになりました。
The guest has arrived.
Referring to something that will happen or arrive in the future.
Use 来る (くる) before a time noun to mean 'next' or 'coming'. For example, 来週 (らいしゅう) means 'next week'.
Means 'from now on' or 'in the coming time'. Used for near future.
これからの予定は？
What are your plans for the coming days?
Means 'from now on' or 'in the future', slightly more formal than これから.
Expressing that you will go together with someone, often translated as 'coming' in English invitations.
Literally 'go together', but used where English would say 'come with'. Japanese uses 行く (to go) from the speaker's perspective.
English 'come with me' is usually 一緒に行く, not 一緒に来る, because the movement is away from the speaker's current location.
映画に一緒に行かない？
Do you want to come to the movies with me?
Means 'to come along' or 'to follow'. Used when someone comes with you.
犬が付いて来た。
The dog came along with me.
Referring to reaching a certain age or stage of development.
Means 'to become an adult' or 'to come of age'. Used for legal adulthood.
日本では20歳で成人する。
In Japan, you come of age at 20.
Means 'to reach a marriageable age' or 'to come of age' in a social sense.
娘も年頃になった。
My daughter has come of age.
Japanese distinguishes between 'come' (来る) and 'go' (行く) based on the speaker's location. Use 来る when movement is toward the speaker, and 行く when movement is away. English 'come with me' often becomes 一緒に行く because the speaker is also moving away from the current place.
We will discuss the coming policy.