訪れる
otozureru[o̞to̞zɨɾe̞ɾɯ̟]
In Japanese, 'visit' can be expressed in several ways. The default form is 訪れる (otozureru). Wiktionary also lists 訪ねる (tazuneru) and 訪問する (hōmon surú).
Meaning: to go and meet (someone) (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 訪れる | otozureru | [o̞to̞zɨɾe̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 訪ねる | tazuneru | [ta̠zɨne̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 訪問する | hōmon surú |
You might use these words to describe visiting a landmark, meeting a person or performing an official duty. Related nouns include 訪問 and 往訪, which refer to a single act of visiting.
Which one should you use?
訪れる is typically used for visiting places, landmarks or even seasons. In contrast, 訪ねる is used specifically when the object of the visit is a person or a household. 訪問する is a more formal, often professional or official, way to say 'to visit' compared to the other two forms.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 訪ねる to visit a person, that person is marked with the particle に to indicate the destination of the visit.
How do you pronounce it?
otozureru
Did you know?
- The verb 訪れる contains the word for 'sound' (音, oto) within it. Historically, it is thought to mean 'to bring a sound' or to announce one's presence.
- While an English speaker might say they are 'visiting' a friend, using the verb 訪れる in Japanese to describe a person can make it sound as if you are treating that human being like a tourist landmark.
- The verb 訪れる can be used to describe the arrival of things that cannot move, such as the coming of a new era or a feeling of peace.
Examples in context
- どこを訪れる予定ですか。Where will you visit?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's travel plans using 訪れる.Tatoeba #200832 by bunbuku, translation #38034 by CK
- 彼女の夢はパリを訪れることだ。Her dream is to visit Paris.This sentence shows how to express a dream involving visiting a place with 訪れる.Tatoeba #93924 by bunbuku, translation #878775 by CK
- ボストンを訪ねることにしました。I've decided to visit Boston.This sentence demonstrates a decision to visit using 訪ねる.Tatoeba #8545619 by small_snow, translation #6262349 by CK
- 私たちは明日、彼の家を訪問します。We will visit his house tomorrow.
- 明日友達の家に遊びに行こうよ！Let's go and visit our friend's house tomorrow!
- 今度、一緒に公園に行って遊ぼうよ。Let's visit the park together and have some fun next time.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Himari and Yota are talking about visiting their grandmother.
- 陽葵 Himari今週末、おばあちゃんを訪れるつもりです。Konshūmatsu, obāchan o otozureru tsumori desu.I plan to visit my grandmother this weekend.
- 陽太 Yotaいいですね。僕も一緒に行ってもいい？Ii desu ne. Boku mo issho ni itte mo ii?That's nice. Can I go with you?
- 陽葵 Himariもちろん。陽太も一緒なら喜ぶと思います。Mochiron. Yōta mo issho nara yorokobu to omoimasu.Of course. I think she will be happy if Yota comes too.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう。楽しみだな。Arigatō. Tanoshimi da na.Thanks. I'm looking forward to it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “visit” translations and entries 訪れる, 訪ねる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 訪ねる, 訪れる, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
