Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Come" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "come", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
迎えに来る
むかえにくる (mukae ni kuru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
かなう
かなう (kanau)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "come" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 迎えに来る and かなう.
In Japanese, 迎えに来る (むかえにくる (mukae ni kuru)) is typically associated with "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.
On the other hand, かなう (かなう (kanau)) maps to "to come true (wish); to be realized (dream); to match; to be equal to" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Primarily means for a wish or dream to be fulfilled. A literal translation of "come" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
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.
Bilingual Context for "かなう"
彼の長年の夢がついにかなった。
His long-cherished dream finally came true.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達が駅まで私を迎えに来てくれました。" (Meaning: "My friend came to pick me up at the station.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "迎えに来る" fits here because it means "to come to pick up (someone)" in the context of: "My friend came to pick me up at the station.". "かなう" represents "to come true (wish); to be realized (dream); to match; to be equal to".