Processing keyword: Verb て くる (Verb te kuru)

Japanese Grammar Point: Verb て くる (Verb te kuru)

Verb てくる (Verb te kuru)

1. Introduction

The grammar pattern Verb てくる is a versatile construction in Japanese that combines a verb in the -te form with くる (kuru), meaning "to come." This pattern is used to express actions that have started in the past and continue to the present, movements towards the speaker, or gradual changes. Understanding this grammar point will enhance your ability to describe ongoing actions and changes in Japanese.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning and Usage

The Verb てくる construction is used to express:

1. An action or state that began in the past and continues up to now.
2. A change or process that has occurred up to the present moment.
3. Movement towards the speaker or the current location.

Structure

Formation Diagram:

[Verb in て-form] + くる

• Verb in て-form: Conjugate the verb to its -te form.
• くる: The verb "to come" in plain form. Examples of Verb Conjugation:

  Verb (Dictionary Form)	て-form	+ くる
  食べる (taberu)	食べて	食べてくる
  行く (iku)	行って	行ってくる
  帰る (kaeru)	帰って	帰ってくる
  増える (fueru)	増えて	増えてくる
  勉強する (benkyou suru)	勉強して	勉強してくる

3. Comparative Analysis

The pattern Verb てくる is often compared with Verb ていく (Verb te iku).

• Verb てくる: Indicates actions or changes moving towards the present or the speaker.
• Verb ていく: Indicates actions or changes moving away from the present or the speaker into the future. Comparison Table:

  Usage	Verb てくる	Verb ていく
  Past to Present	雨が降ってきた (It started raining)	だんだん暖かくなっていく (It will gradually become warmer)
  Movement Direction	駅から走ってきた (I ran from the station (to here))	家まで歩いていく (I will walk to home (from here))

4. Examples in Context

Example Sentences

1. An action that started in the past and continues to the present:
   • Japanese: 日本語を3年間勉強してきました。
   • Romaji: Nihongo o san-nenkan benkyou shite kimashita.
   • English: I have been studying Japanese for three years.
2. A change that has occurred up to now:
   • Japanese: 最近、日が短くなってきた。
   • Romaji: Saikin, hi ga mijikaku natte kita.
   • English: Lately, the days have been getting shorter.
3. Movement towards the speaker:
   • Japanese: 友達が家に遊びに来てくれた。
   • Romaji: Tomodachi ga ie ni asobi ni kite kureta.
   • English: A friend came over to my house to hang out.
4. Expressing gradual change:
   • Japanese: 物価が上がってきています。
   • Romaji: Bukka ga agatte kite imasu.
   • English: Prices have been going up.
5. In a formal context:
   • Japanese: 技術が発展してきたおかげで、生活が便利になりました。
   • Romaji: Gijutsu ga hatten shite kita okage de, seikatsu ga benri ni narimashita.
   • English: Thanks to technological advances, life has become convenient.

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Japanese society, expressing the flow of time and changes in states is important for communication. The use of てくる conveys not just the action but also its relation to the speaker's perspective and time frame.

Idiomatic Expressions

• やってくる (yatte kuru): To come; to show up.
  • Example: 新しい時代がやってくる。
  • Translation: A new era is coming.
• 思えてくる (omoete kuru): To come to feel.
  • Example: 彼が正しいように思えてくる。
  • Translation: I’m starting to feel like he is right.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Confusing てくる with ていく:
   • Mistake: 将来、もっと寒くなってくるでしょう。
   • Correction: 将来、もっと寒くなっていくでしょう。
   • Explanation: Use ていく for actions moving away from the present into the future.
2. Incorrect verb conjugation:
   • Mistake: 食べるてくる。
   • Correction: 食べてくる。
   • Explanation: The -te form of 食べる is 食べて, not 食べるて.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device:
  • Think of くる (come) as actions coming towards you or the present moment.
  • Associate てくる with arrival of an action or change.
• Practice Tip:
  • Create sentences about daily changes you observe to become comfortable with てくる.
  • Example: 花が咲いてきた。(The flowers have started blooming.)

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• Verb てくる expresses actions or changes that have occurred up to the present or movement towards the speaker.
• It is formed by combining the -te form of a verb with くる.
• Be mindful of the context to choose between てくる and ていく.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you form the Verb てくる construction?
2. What is the difference between てくる and ていく?
3. Translate the following sentence: 彼は走ってきた。 Answers:
4. [Verb in て-form] + くる
5. てくる indicates actions moving towards the speaker or present; ていく indicates actions moving away from the speaker or present into the future.
6. He came running.

By mastering Verb てくる, you'll enhance your ability to describe ongoing actions, changes, and movements in Japanese, making your communication more natural and nuanced.