Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Come" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "come", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
〜てくる
〜てくる (te kuru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
思い当たる
おもいあたる (omoiataru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "come" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 〜てくる and 思い当たる.
In Japanese, 〜てくる (〜てくる (te kuru)) is typically associated with "to come doing; to start doing; to become (up to now)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Indicates a change or action that progresses from the past up to the present, or an action moving towards the speaker. It suggests a process or continuation that has led to the current state..
On the other hand, 思い当たる (おもいあたる (omoiataru)) maps to "to come to mind; to occur to one; to strike upon (an idea, reason, etc.); to remember suddenly" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents This verb is used when an idea, a reason, a solution, or a memory suddenly comes to one's mind. It implies a moment of realization or recollection. Often used in the past tense to describe that moment.. A literal translation of "come" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "〜てくる"
日本に来てから、ずっと日本語を勉強してきました。
Since coming to Japan, I have been studying Japanese continuously.
Bilingual Context for "思い当たる"
忘れ物の場所が分からず困っていたが、ふと机の上にあることに思い当たった。
I was troubled not knowing where I left my forgotten item, but then it suddenly dawned on me that it was on the desk.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "日本に来てから、ずっと日本語を勉強してきました。" (Meaning: "Since coming to Japan, I have been studying Japanese continuously.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "〜てくる" fits here because it means "to come doing; to start doing; to become (up to now)" in the context of: "Since coming to Japan, I have been studying Japanese continuously.". "思い当たる" represents "to come to mind; to occur to one; to strike upon (an idea, reason, etc.); to remember suddenly".