1. Basic structure
| Pattern | Formation with ～に来ます | Example | Notes |
|---|
| Place | Place + に/へ + 来ます | 日本に来ます | Indicates “coming to” the speaker’s place/reference point |
| Purpose (verb) | Vます-stem + に + 来ます | 勉強しに来ます／本を借りに来ます | Use the V-ます form as the purpose |
| Purpose (noun) | N + に + 来ます | 旅行に来ます／見学に来ます | N must be an activity/event |
| Honorifics | いらっしゃいます／参ります | 部長がいらっしゃいます | Honorific/humble forms of 来ます |
2. Main meanings & detailed analysis
- Expresses “to come” (toward the speaker/the conversational reference point).
- “Vます + に + 来ます”: come to do V (purpose). With サ変名詞: 研究しに来ます.
- “N + に + 来ます”: come for N (when N is an activity: 見学, 旅行, 面接...).
- Viewpoint matters: choose 来ます when the destination is tied to the speaker/listener or is treated as the goal point.
3. Illustrative examples
- 友だちがうちに来ます。
My friend is coming to my house. - 図書館へ本を借りに来ました。
I came to the library to borrow books. - 日本へ留学しに来ました。
I came to Japan to study abroad. - 明日、先生が学校にいらっしゃいます。
Tomorrow, the teacher will come to the school (honorific). - 後でまた来ますね。
I’ll come again later, okay? - 彼は私を迎えに来て、一緒に出かけた。
He came to pick me up, and we went out together.
4. Usage & nuances
- Use 来ます when the destination is the speaker’s place or the contextual goal.
- Invitation/request: こちらへVに来てください (please come here to V).
- Politeness point: use いらっしゃいます (honorific)/ 参ります (humble) depending on the person.
- Contrast with Vて来る: do V and “bring/come toward here,” or “a change progressing up to now.”
5. Comparison, distinctions, and similar patterns
| Pattern | Meaning | Key difference | Short example |
|---|
| ～に来ます | Come (purpose/reference point) | Viewpoint oriented “toward here” | こちらに来ます |
| ～に行きます | Go (leaving the speaker’s place) | Orientation “over there” | 向こうへ行きます |
| Vて来る | Do V and “come back here” / change up to the present | Implies returning movement/progression | 飲み物を買って来る |
| Nに来る vs Nをしに来る | Come for activity N | With サ変名詞, ～をしに来る is common | 勉強をしに来る |
6. Additional notes
- Natural way to ask purpose: 何をしに来ましたか／何しに来たの？ (casual).
- Scheduling depends on viewpoint: 明日東京に行きます (if you are not in Tokyo); 明日東京に来ますか (said to someone in Tokyo).
- Common collocations: 遊びに来る (drop by to hang out), 見に来る (come to watch/see), 迎えに来る (come to pick up), 取りに来る (come to pick up/collect).
7. Variants & fixed expressions
- いらっしゃる／参る (honorific/humble of 来る)
- 遊びに来る・見に来る・手伝いに来る・相談に来る・面接に来る
- 呼びに来る・迎えに来る・取りに来る・届けに来る
8. Common mistakes & JLPT pitfalls
- Incorrect purpose formation: ×本を借りますに来ます → ✓本を借りに来ます.
- Using を instead of に for purpose: ×日本語を勉強を来ます → ✓日本語を勉強しに来ます.
- Confusing the viewpoint of 来る/行く: when speaking to someone at the destination, use 来る.
- Mixing up へ/に: for places, に/へ are both fine; for purpose, に is required.
Basic Particles & Structures
