伺う (うかがう): This word means to visit, ask, or hear. You use it to show respect when talking about your own actions to someone important.

伺う

This word means to visit, ask, or hear. You use it to show respect when talking about your own actions to someone important.

N3 KMT5HumbleStandardHonorific ConstructionMixedKenjougo Verbs SpecialGrammar

伺うPrimary

This word means to visit, ask, or hear. You use it to show respect when talking about your own actions to someone important.

詳しいお話を伺ってもよろしいでしょうか。

Would it be alright if I asked for a more detailed story? (Humble 'ask')

HumbleNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingRequestBusiness & Finance Work & Career

先日、部長のお宅へ伺いました。

The other day, I visited the department head's home. (Humble 'visit')

HumblePastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeWork & Career

その件については、まだ何も伺っておりません。

Regarding that matter, I have not yet heard anything. (Humble 'hear')

HumbleProgressiveNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeBusiness & Finance

明日3時にそちらへ伺う予定です。

I am scheduled to visit your location tomorrow at 3 o'clock. (Humble 'visit')

HumbleNon PastAffirmativePrenominalDeclarativeWork & Career Daily Life

ご意見を伺いたく、ご連絡いたしました。

I have contacted you as I wish to ask for your opinion. (Humble 'ask')

HumbleNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDesireBusiness & Finance

This word is like a Swiss Army knife. It has many uses. The meaning changes with what you say around it. Look at the other words to know what it means.

Both 伺う and 参る are humble ways to say 'go' or 'come'. But 伺う is for visiting someone or a place to talk or listen. 参る is for going to a respected place in general.

Don't use this when talking about someone you respect. For example, do not say "The boss 伺います". That is wrong. The boss is a respected person. You should use a respectful word for them.

More formal alternatives(1)

参る

This word means 'to go' or 'to come'. You use it to show respect. You use it when you talk about yourself or your group.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

いたす

It means 'to do'. You use it to humbly talk about your own actions. This shows respect to someone above you.

参る

This word means 'to go' or 'to come'. You use it to show respect. You use it when you talk about yourself or your group.

申す

This word means 'to say' or 'to be called'. You use it to show respect to someone above you.

お〜する

This is a polite way to talk about your own actions. It shows respect to the person you are talking to. You use it when you do something for someone important.

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Dictionary

伺う

This word means to visit, ask, or hear. You use it to show respect when talking about your own actions to someone important.

N3 KMT5HumbleStandardHonorific ConstructionMixedKenjougo Verbs SpecialGrammar

伺うPrimary

This word means to visit, ask, or hear. You use it to show respect when talking about your own actions to someone important.

詳しいお話を伺ってもよろしいでしょうか。

Would it be alright if I asked for a more detailed story? (Humble 'ask')

HumbleNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingRequestBusiness & Finance Work & Career

先日、部長のお宅へ伺いました。

The other day, I visited the department head's home. (Humble 'visit')

HumblePastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeWork & Career

その件については、まだ何も伺っておりません。

Regarding that matter, I have not yet heard anything. (Humble 'hear')

HumbleProgressiveNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeBusiness & Finance

明日3時にそちらへ伺う予定です。

I am scheduled to visit your location tomorrow at 3 o'clock. (Humble 'visit')

HumbleNon PastAffirmativePrenominalDeclarativeWork & Career Daily Life

ご意見を伺いたく、ご連絡いたしました。

I have contacted you as I wish to ask for your opinion. (Humble 'ask')

HumbleNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDesireBusiness & Finance

This word is like a Swiss Army knife. It has many uses. The meaning changes with what you say around it. Look at the other words to know what it means.

Both 伺う and 参る are humble ways to say 'go' or 'come'. But 伺う is for visiting someone or a place to talk or listen. 参る is for going to a respected place in general.

Don't use this when talking about someone you respect. For example, do not say "The boss 伺います". That is wrong. The boss is a respected person. You should use a respectful word for them.

More formal alternatives(1)

参る

This word means 'to go' or 'to come'. You use it to show respect. You use it when you talk about yourself or your group.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

いたす

It means 'to do'. You use it to humbly talk about your own actions. This shows respect to someone above you.

参る

This word means 'to go' or 'to come'. You use it to show respect. You use it when you talk about yourself or your group.

申す

This word means 'to say' or 'to be called'. You use it to show respect to someone above you.

お〜する

This is a polite way to talk about your own actions. It shows respect to the person you are talking to. You use it when you do something for someone important.

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伺う

Patterns1

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Compare with1

More formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites5

Track your mastery

伺う

Patterns1

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Compare with1

More formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites5

Track your mastery