Japanese Verb Kuru (来る): Conjugation & Usage Guide

Understanding the Japanese Verb 来る (Kuru): Your Complete Guide

So you're learning Japanese and you've hit one of the most important verbs in the language. The verb 来る (kuru) shows up everywhere, and honestly, you'll use it constantly once you start speaking. The basic meaning is "to come" or "to arrive," but like most Japanese verbs, there's way more going on beneath the surface.

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. Pretty annoying when you're first learning, but once you get the hang of it, the patterns become second nature.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know about using 来る correctly, from basic conjugation to some of the trickier usage patterns that trip up learners.

What Does Kuru Mean in Japanese?

The dictionary form 来る (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 来る 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: ru-verbs (Group 2), u-verbs (Group 1), and irregular verbs. Unfortunately for us learners, 来る 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:

Notice how the stem keeps changing? That's the irregular nature showing up. The plain negative uses "ko" (来ない = konai), the polite form uses "ki" (来ます = kimasu), and the te-form uses "ki" as well (来て = kite).

When to Use Kuru vs Other Motion Verbs

The context matters a lot with kuru. You use it when the movement is directed toward the speaker's current location or toward a reference point in the conversation.

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 行く (iku), which means "to go."

Example sentence showing this directional meaning:

The speaker is at their house, so the movement toward them uses kuru.

The Difference Between Kuru and Tsuku

People often confuse 来る (kuru) with 着く (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.

Advanced Usage: Te-form + Kuru Constructions

Here's where kuru gets really interesting. When you attach 来る 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.

Common Kuru Expressions and Set Phrases

Beyond basic conjugation, kuru appears in tons of common expressions. Learning these as chunks makes your Japanese sound way more natural.

出てくる (dete kuru) - "to come out/emerge" This combines 出る (deru, "to exit") with kuru. Example: 答えが出てきた (kotae ga dete kita) - "The answer emerged"

やってくる (yatte kuru) - "to come along/approach" Often used for events or seasons approaching. Example: 冬がやってくる (fuyu ga yatte kuru) - "Winter is coming"

帰ってくる (kaette kuru) - "to come back/return" Example: 6時に帰ってきます (rokuji ni kaette kimasu) - "I'll come back at 6 o'clock"

Polite vs Casual Forms in Real Conversations

The polite form 来ます (kimasu) is what you'll use in most situations when you're starting out. It's safe for talking to strangers, coworkers, teachers, or anyone you don't know well.

The plain form 来る (kuru) is for casual conversations with friends, family, or in informal writing. You'll also see it in relative clauses and other grammatical structures even in polite speech.

Example showing both:

The meaning is identical, just different levels of formality.

Why Use Kuru Instead of Iku?

This question comes up constantly. The choice between くる (kuru) and 行く (iku, "to go") depends entirely on perspective and direction.

Use kuru when:

Use iku when:

Here's a tricky example that confuses learners: If you're inviting a friend to a party you're both attending, you might say:

Even though neither of you is at the party yet, you use kuru because you're establishing the party as your shared reference point. You're mentally placing yourself there and asking if they'll join you.

Conjugating Kuru in Different Tenses and Forms

Let me give you some more conjugation examples with actual sentence context so you can see how these forms work in practice.

Potential Form (can come):

Passive Form:

Causative Form:

Imperative Form:

The imperative forms vary a lot in tone. 来い (koi) sounds pretty rough and masculine. 来て (kite) is much softer and more commonly used. 来なさい (kinasai) is what a parent might say to a child.

Practical Examples in Full Sentences

Let me give you some real-world example sentences that show kuru in various contexts:

Basic usage:

With time expressions:

Te-kuru constructions:

In questions:

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 来ない (konai), using "ko," while the polite form is 来ます (kimasu), using "ki."

The te-form 来て (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.

Pay attention to how kuru appears in different sentence structures. Notice when speakers choose kuru versus iku. The more examples you encounter, the more natural your own usage becomes.

Wrapping Up: Mastering This Essential Verb

The verb 来る 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.

Yes, the irregular conjugation is annoying at first. Yes, the directional usage takes some getting used to. But kuru is one of those core verbs that's worth really drilling until it becomes automatic.

Focus on the most common forms first: the present polite (来ます), past polite (来ました), te-form (来て), and the basic negative forms. Once those are solid, the other conjugations will come easier.

And remember that てくる constructions are everywhere in natural Japanese. Being able to use and understand them makes a huge difference in how natural you sound.

Anyway, if you want to see kuru and other Japanese verbs in actual context while you're learning, Migaku's browser extension lets 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.