Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "くる", "外れる", "叶う", "〜てくる", "かなう"
All represent the core concept "come", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
くる
くる (kuru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
外れる
はずれる (hazureru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
叶う
かなう (kanau)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
〜てくる
〜てくる (te kuru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
かなう
かなう (kanau)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "come" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "くる", "外れる", "叶う", "〜てくる", "かなう" based on context.
- くる (くる (kuru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to come" and is used when Used for movement towards the speaker's current location or a specific point of reference. This is an irregular verb. The polite form is 来ます.
- 外れる (はずれる (hazureru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to come off; to be disconnected; to miss (a guess / expectation); to deviate" and is used when Refers to buttons coming off, connections being disconnected, expectations/guesses missing, or deviating from rules. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 外す. Often used as ボタンが外れる or 予想が外れる. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To miss! "The weather forecast missed and it started raining, but sharing this umbrella with you is the best luck ever, Haruka-san!" ...っ! F-Sharing an umbrella because forecast missed! B-Baka! Don't celebrate the rain! But... since we are sharing, get closer so your shoulder doesn't get wet! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『はずれる（外れる）わよ！『ハルカ部長、週末のデート予定、降水確率80%の雨予報が完全に外れてピカピカの青空になりました！神様に感謝です！』って…っ！天気予報が外れる！バカ！/// 天気が良くなったのは私の普段の行いが良いからよ！…でも、天気が良くてお揃いのスニーカーで公園散歩できるの、実は私もすっごく嬉しいんだから、しっかり手を繋いで歩きなさい！』.
- 叶う (かなう (kanau) - Level: N3): Maps to "to come true, to be granted (wish, dream)" and is used when Used exclusively for wishes, dreams, hopes, or prayers being realized or fulfilled. It's the opposite of 夢が破れる.
- 〜てくる (〜てくる (te kuru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to come doing; to start doing; to become (up to now)" and is used when 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..
- かなう (かなう (kanau) - Level: N2): Maps to "to come true (wish); to be realized (dream); to match; to be equal to" and is used when Primarily means for a wish or dream to be fulfilled.
Context for "くる"
友達が家に来ます。
My friend comes to my house.
Context for "外れる"
満員電車の激しい揺れの影響を受け、彼のコートの右袖のボタンがいつの間にか_______いました。
Under the influence of the intense shaking of the crowded train, the button of his coat's right sleeve had come off before he knew it.
Context for "叶う"
いつか海外で働くという夢が叶いました。
My dream of working overseas finally came true.
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.
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.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達が家に来ます。" (Meaning: "My friend comes to my house.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "くる" is correct here because it represents "to come" in the context: "My friend comes to my house.".