Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Visit" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "visit", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
伺う
うかがう (ukagau)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
うかがう
うかがう (ukagau)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "visit" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 伺う and うかがう.
In Japanese, 伺う (うかがう (ukagau)) is typically associated with "1. to visit (humble) 2. to ask, to hear (humble)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 謙譲語（けんじょうご）。「行く」「訪ねる」または「聞く」の謙譲語です。相手への敬意を表す際に使います。Humble form of 行く.
On the other hand, うかがう (うかがう (ukagau)) maps to "to visit, to ask, to hear (humble)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 謙譲語. A literal translation of "visit" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "伺う"
明日、先生のお宅に伺います。
I will visit my teacher's house tomorrow.
Bilingual Context for "うかがう"
明日、先生のお宅にうかがいます。
I will visit the teacher's house tomorrow.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "明日、先生のお宅に伺います。" (Meaning: "I will visit my teacher's house tomorrow.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "伺う" fits here because it means "1. to visit (humble) 2. to ask, to hear (humble)" in the context of: "I will visit my teacher's house tomorrow.". "うかがう" represents "to visit, to ask, to hear (humble)".