come, due, next, cause

About this kanji

The kanji 「来」 primarily means "come" and can also imply concepts like "due" or "next." It is often used as a verb meaning to arrive or to come, but you'll also find it in several compounds that are useful for everyday conversation. For example, 以来 (いらい) means "since," 従来 (じゅうらい) refers to "up to now," and 将来 (しょうらい) means "future." This kanji is versatile and can express various ideas related to timing or movement. One usage note is that while it can suggest future events, the context will help clarify the intended meaning.

Example sentences

• 来年の計画を考えています。

  I am thinking about plans for next year.

Meanings across languages

English

come, due, next, cause, become

Tiếng Việt

đến, đến hạn, tiếp theo

日本語

来る, 来たる, なる

한국어

오다, 다다르다, 다음

中文

来, 到来, 引起

id

datang

th

มา

es

venir

fr

venir

de

kommen

pt

vir

Common compounds

• 以来いらいsince, henceforth, ever since
• 従来じゅうらいup to now, so far, traditional
• 出来しゅったいoccurrence, happening, taking place
• 将来しょうらいfuture, (future) prospects, bringing (from abroad, another region, etc.)
• 本来ほんらいoriginally, primarily, essentially
• 未来みらい(distant) future, future existence, world beyond the grave
• 来月らいげつnext month
• 来週らいしゅうnext week