Synonym Boundary: "迎えに来る", "外れる", "〜てくる", "綻びる"

When expressing "come" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "迎えに来る", "外れる", "〜てくる", "綻びる" based on context.

• 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.
• 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！』.
• 〜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..
• 綻びる (ほころびる (hokorobiru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to come open, to fray, to smile (slightly), to blossom (flowers)" and is used when Often used for seams coming undone, clothes fraying, or flowers beginning to open. Can also describe a slight smile..

Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!