Japanese Verb Kuru (来る): What’s the Meaning & How to Conjugate the Japanese Verb 来る

The verb (kuru) shows up everywhere when learning Japanese, and honestly, you'll use it constantly once you start speaking. Here's the thing: kuru is an irregular verb. That means it doesn't follow the normal conjugation patterns you'd expect from regular Japanese verbs. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about using correctly, from basic conjugation to some of the trickier usage patterns that trip up learners.

What does kuru mean in Japanese

The dictionary form (kuru) translates to "to come" in English. Simple enough, right? When someone approaches your location or moves toward where you are, that's when you use kuru.

For example:

The verb specifically indicates movement toward the speaker's position. This directional aspect is super important in Japanese grammar, and it's one of the key differences between kuru and other motion verbs.

In hiragana, you'll also see this verb written as くる, especially in casual writing or when mixed with other verb forms. Both and くる represent the same word, just different writing styles.

Why kuru is an irregular Japanese verb

Japanese verbs fall into three main categories:

Unfortunately for us learners, sits in that third category alongside する (suru), meaning "to do."

Irregular verbs don't follow the standard conjugation rules. While regular verbs just swap out their endings in predictable ways, kuru changes its stem completely in certain forms. You'll see it transform from "ku" to "ko" to "ki" depending on the conjugation.

This irregularity means you basically have to memorize the conjugation patterns separately. There's no shortcut here, you just need to drill them until they stick.

Japanese verb conjugation for kuru

Let me break down the main conjugation forms you'll need. This is reference material, so bookmark this section because you'll probably come back to it.

Present/Future Tense:

Past Tense:

Negative Forms:

Te-form:

Conditional:

Volitional:

Advanced usage: Te-form + kuru constructions

Here's where kuru gets really interesting. When you attach to the te-form of another verb, it creates special meanings that go beyond the literal "to come."

Indicating Direction Toward the Speaker: When you add てくる (te-kuru) to a verb, it can show that an action is moving in the direction of the speaker.

Example:

Showing Ongoing Change or Progression: The te-kuru form also expresses that something has been happening up until now, or that a change is occurring over time.

Example:

This usage is super common in everyday Japanese. It adds this sense of gradual change or development that English doesn't capture with a single verb form.

Recent Completion: Sometimes てくる indicates that someone will do something and come back.

Example:

The implication is that you're leaving temporarily and returning.

When to use kuru vs other motion verbs

The context matters a lot with kuru.

Think about it from the speaker's perspective. If someone is moving toward where you are, you use kuru. If you're moving toward where someone else is, you'd typically use (iku), which means "to go."

Example sentence showing this directional meaning:
。
She is coming to my house. (The speaker is at their house, so the movement toward them uses kuru.)

The difference between kuru and tsuku

People often confuse (kuru) with (tsuku), which means "to arrive." Both relate to getting somewhere, but they emphasize different aspects.

Tsuku focuses on the arrival itself, the moment of reaching a destination. Kuru emphasizes the movement toward a location. You'd use tsuku when you want to talk about actually arriving at a place, while kuru describes the act of coming.

For example:

Both are correct, just slightly different nuances.

Common mistakes learners make

One mistake I see constantly is using kuru when you should use iku because learners forget about the directional aspect. If you're talking about going somewhere that's away from your current position, you need iku, even if it feels like "coming" in English.

Another issue is mixing up the conjugation stems. Because kuru is irregular, you can't just apply ru-verb or u-verb rules. You have to memorize that the negative is (konai), using "ko," while the polite form is (kimasu), using "ki."

The te-form (kite) also trips people up. It doesn't follow any predictable pattern from the dictionary form, you just have to know it.

Learning kuru through immersion and practice

Honestly, the best way to internalize kuru and all its forms is through exposure. Reading Japanese content, watching shows, and listening to conversations will hammer these patterns into your brain way better than staring at conjugation charts.

You'll start noticing how native speakers use てくる constructions to add nuance. You'll hear the difference between polite and casual forms in real contexts. Grammar study gives you the framework, but immersion makes it stick.

Anyway, if you want to see kuru and other Japanese verbs in actual context while you're learning, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up words and grammar instantly while watching Japanese shows or reading articles. Makes picking up these patterns from real content way easier. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.

来る is so frequently used that you will remember how to conjugate in no time

The verb is absolutely fundamental to Japanese. You'll use it daily once you start speaking, and understanding its conjugation patterns and various meanings will level up your Japanese significantly. You don't even have to memorize it. Just watch more Japanese videos, and it will be so repeated that you can pick it up in no time.

Japanese verb won't give you any headache at all!