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
迎えに来る
むかえにくる (mukae ni kuru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "come" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 来ます and 迎えに来る.
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, 迎えに来る (むかえにくる (mukae ni kuru)) maps to "to come to pick up (someone)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used when someone comes to a location with the purpose of picking up another person. The particle に indicates purpose. The related phrase 迎えに行く. 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 "迎えに来る"
友達が駅まで私を迎えに来てくれました。
My friend came to pick me up at 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.". "迎えに来る" represents "to come to pick up (someone)".