借りる
kariru[ka̠ɾʲiɾɯ̟]
The English phrase 'borrow' is translated into Japanese as 借りる (kariru).
The verb 借りる is used to describe the act of receiving something temporarily.
Meaning: receive temporarily (verb)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between 借りる, which means to borrow (receive) and 貸す, which means to lend (give).
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 借りる is 借りた. To indicate that you are currently in the process of borrowing something or that you currently possess something that was borrowed, use the continuous or state form 借りています.
How do you pronounce it?
kariru
Did you know?
- The verb 借りる is used in the phrase 借りてきた猫 which literally means 'a borrowed cat' but describes someone who is unusually quiet or shy.
- When talking about debts, the word 借り can be used as a noun to describe a 'moral debt' or a feeling of obligation that cannot be repaid with money.
- The term 借り物競走 uses the word 'borrowed' to describe a 'borrowed-item race', a beloved staple of Japanese school sports days where students run while carrying random objects.
Examples in context
- 金を借りるのも貸すのも嫌だ。I don't want to lend or borrow.This sentence uses 借りる to express a dislike for both lending and borrowing.Tatoeba #179699 by bunbuku, translation #18558 by Zifre
- ３００ドル借りる必要があるんだ。I need to borrow three hundred dollars.This sentence uses 借りる to state a requirement to borrow a specific amount of money.Tatoeba #8854706 by bunbuku, translation #2387571 by CK
- 本は一度に３冊借りる事が出来ます。You can borrow three books at a time.This sentence uses 借りる to explain how many books can be borrowed at once.Tatoeba #232308 by huizi99, translation #69677 by CK
- このペン、借りてもいい？Can I borrow this pen?
- パソコン、借りてもいい？Can I borrow your computer?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “borrow” translations and entries 借りる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
