The Japanese verb kuru (来る), meaning “to come,” is one of the most frequently used words in the language. As an irregular verb, it defies standard conjugation patterns, making it a stumbling block for many learners. This article provides a complete roadmap to mastering kuru, including basic forms, advanced compounds, practical examples, and strategies to avoid errors. Whether you’re describing arrival, direction, or ongoing actions, understanding kuru unlocks natural expression in Japanese.
Understanding Kuru’s Unique Nature
Kuru belongs to the rare irregular verb group in Japanese, alongside suru (to do). Unlike Group 1 u-verbs or Group 2 ru-verbs, which follow predictable stem changes, kuru shifts its stem dramatically—from “ku” in the dictionary form to “ki,” “ko,” and others across tenses. This irregularity stems from its historical roots, but modern learners simply memorize the patterns.
Why focus on kuru? It appears in daily conversations for physical movement toward the speaker, temporal progression (e.g., “it’s coming”), and as an auxiliary in compounds. Paired with iku (to go), it distinguishes direction: kuru for toward you, iku for away.
Basic Conjugations: Building a Strong Foundation
Start with the core forms used in 80% of sentences. These cover present/future, past, negatives, and polite variants. Practice them in isolation before combining.
| Form | Plain | Polite | Romaji | Example Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present/Future | 来る | 来ます | kuru / kimashita | come/will come |
| Past | 来た | 来ました | kit a / kimashita | came |
| Negative Present | 来ない | 来ません | konai / kimasen | don’t/won’t come |
| Negative Past | 来なかった | 来ませんでした | konakatta / kimasen deshita | didn’t come |
Examples:
- 友達が来る。(Tomodachi ga kuru.) A friend will come.
- 昨日、来ませんでした。(Kinō, kimashita.) I didn’t come yesterday.
Te-Form and Imperative: Connecting Actions
The te-form, kite (来て), is crucial for requests, sequences, and compounds. It links verbs: “come and see” becomes 來て見て (kite mite).
Imperatives add directness:
- Plain: 来い (koi) – “Come!” (informal, to inferiors)
- Polite: 来てください (kite kudasai) – “Please come.”
- Negative: 来るな (kuru na) / 来ないでください (konai de kudasai)
Tip: Use kite for polite ongoing requests, like 待って来て (matte kite) – “wait and come.”
Advanced Forms: Conditionals, Potentials, and More
Once basics are solid, tackle these for nuanced speech. Kuru’s irregularity shines here, with unique stems like “kureba” for conditionals.
| Form | Plain Positive | Plain Negative | Polite Positive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional | 来たら (kitara) | 来なかったら (konakattara) | 来ましたら (kimashitara) |
| Provisional | 来れば (kureba) | 来なければ (konakereba) | 来ますれば (kimasureba) |
| Potential | 来られる (korareru) | 来られない (korarenai) | 来られます (koraremasu) |
| Volitional | 来よう (koyou) | – | 来ましょう (kimashou) |
| Causative | 来させる (kosaseru) | 来させない (kosasenai) | 来させます (kosasemasu) |
Examples:
- 雨が降れば来ない。(Ame ga fureba konai.) If it rains, I won’t come.
- 来られる？ (Korareru?) Can you come?
Te-Kuru Compounds: Direction and Change
Kuru’s power emerges in te-kuru (V-て来る), indicating action toward the speaker or recent development. This auxiliary shifts meaning from literal motion.
- Directional: 家に来て来る (ie ni kite kuru) – “come to my house” (toward speaker).
- Change/Start: 雨が降って来る (ame ga futte kuru) – “it starts raining” (change approaching).
- Recent Action: 買って来る (katte kuru) – “buy and come back.”
Contrast with te-iku (away from speaker): 学校に行って行く (gakkou ni itte iku) – “go to school (away).”
Advanced: Combine with passives or causatives, e.g., 見せて来させる (misete kosaseru) – “make them show and come.”
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Learners often apply ru-verb rules to kuru, yielding errors like *kurunai instead of konai.
- Error 1: Confusing kuru/iku direction. Fix: Visualize speaker’s position.
- Error 2: Forgetting polite past: *kitamashita → kimashita.
- Error 3: Overusing literal “come” in compounds. Practice with audio for intuition.
Pro Tip: Flashcards for stems (ku → ko negative, ki polite) build muscle memory.
Practical Usage in Sentences and Dialogues
Integrate kuru naturally:
- Greeting: いつ来ますか？ (Itsu kimashita ka?) When are you coming?
- Daily: 電車が来ました。(Densha ga kimashita.) The train has arrived.
- Compound: 勉強して来るよ。(Benkyou shite kuru yo.) I’ll study and come (back).
- Conditional: 来なければ、電話する。(Kureba, denwa suru.) If you don’t come, I’ll call.
Dialogue Example:
A: 明日、パーティーに来る？ (Ashita, paatii ni kuru?)
B: うん、来ます！買って来るね。(Un, kimashita! Katte kuru ne.) Yeah, I’ll come! I’ll buy something on the way.
Strategies for Memorization and Practice
1. Daily Drills: Conjugate 10 sentences per form.
2. Immersion: Listen to podcasts noting kuru vs. iku.
3. Apps/Tools: Use conjugators for verification, but test recall offline.
4. Partner Practice: Role-play arrivals/departures.
5. Progression: Basics (1 week) → Compounds (2 weeks) → Fluency (ongoing).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is kuru irregular?
Kuru doesn’t follow u- or ru-verb patterns, requiring unique memorization for stems like konai and kite.
How does te-kuru differ from te-iku?
Te-kuru shows movement/change toward the speaker; te-iku shows away.
Can kuru be causative?
Yes, kosaseru means “make come,” used for summoning.
What’s the potential form?
Korareru: “can come/be able to come.”
Practice tip for beginners?
Master plain/polite present, past, negative, and te-form first.
References
- Japanese Verb Kuru (来る): Conjugation & Usage Guide — Migaku. 2023. https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/japanese-verb-kuru
- Conjugation of Japanese verb kuru – to come 来る — Japanese Verb Conjugator. Accessed 2026. https://www.japaneseverbconjugator.com/Kuru.asp
- 来る kuru conjugation in Japanese in all forms — CoolJugator. Accessed 2026. https://cooljugator.com/ja/%E6%9D%A5%E3%82%8B
- KURU (to come) in 100 Different Ways – Conjugations #s 76-100 — Eric’s Nihongo Lessons (YouTube). Accessed 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miXujb6VjhM
- Conjugation verb 来る in Japanese — Reverso Conjugator. Accessed 2026. https://conjugator.reverso.net/conjugation-japanese-verb-%E6%9D%A5%E3%82%8B.html
- Why is KIMASU conjugated to KURU? — Japanese From Zero. Accessed 2026. https://www.fromzero.com/ask/why-is-kimasu-conjugated-to-kuru
- 行く・来る: Japanese Verbs for “Go” and “Come” — Tofugu. 2023. https://www.tofugu.com/japanese-grammar/iku-kuru/
Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. Medha specializes in the areas of beauty, health, sports, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is…