Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Come" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "come", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
来ます
きます (kimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
差し掛かる
さしかかる (sashikakaru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "come" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 来ます and 差し掛かる.
In Japanese, 来ます (きます (kimasu)) is typically associated with "to come (polite form)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 来る.
On the other hand, 差し掛かる (さしかかる (sashikakaru)) maps to "to come to (a place), to approach, to be on the verge of" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents ある場所や時間、段階に近づくことや、そこに着くことを表します。物理的な場所だけでなく、時期や年齢にも使われます。. A literal translation of "come" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "来ます"
友達が家に来ます。
My friend comes to my house.
Bilingual Context for "差し掛かる"
列車はまもなく駅に差し掛かるだろう。
The train will soon approach the station.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達が家に ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "My friend comes to my house.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "来ます" fits here because it means "to come (polite form)" in the context of: "My friend comes to my house.". "差し掛かる" represents "to come to (a place), to approach, to be on the verge of".