Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "来る", "迎えに来る", "叶う", "かなう"
All represent the core concept "come", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
来る
くる (kuru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
迎えに来る
むかえにくる (mukae ni kuru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
叶う
かなう (kanau)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
かなう
かなう (kanau)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "come" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "来る", "迎えに来る", "叶う", "かなう" based on context.
- 来る (くる (kuru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to come" and is used when Used for movement towards the speaker's location or a specified location. Polite form is 来ます.
- 迎えに来る (むかえにくる (mukae ni kuru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to come to pick up (someone)" and is used when 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.
- 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.
- 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 "来る"
明日、彼が家に来ます。
He will come to my house tomorrow.
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.
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 "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: "明日、彼が家に来ます。" (Meaning: "He will come to my house tomorrow.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "来る" is correct here because it represents "to come" in the context: "He will come to my house tomorrow.".