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  1. Japanese grammar
  2. JLPT N5 grammar
  3. 参ります

参りますmairimasu

Mairimasu (参ります) means “humble go or come”.

10時じゅうじjuujiにni参ります。まいりますmairimasu

I will be there at 10:00.

Use 「参ります」 humbly for your own going or coming, with the exact direction understood from context.

In the course›

How it works

  1. Look at the picture: the visitor tells the receptionist when he will arrive, using 「参ります」 for his own movement.

    Look at the picture: the visitor tells the receptionist when he will arrive, using 「参ります」 for his own movement.

  2. 「参ります」 is read 「まいります」 and can mean either “go” or “come.”

    「参ります」 is read 「まいります」 and can mean either “go” or “come.”

  3. It is the humble form of 「行きます/来ます」: you speak modestly about your own action to show respect to the listener.

    It is the humble form of 「行きます/来ます」: you speak modestly about your own action to show respect to the listener.

  4. First check who is moving: use 「参ります」 for yourself and 「いらっしゃいます」 to refer respectfully to the other person’s movement.

    First check who is moving: use 「参ります」 for yourself and 「いらっしゃいます」 to refer respectfully to the other person’s movement.

  5. The example 「10時に参ります」 gives the time of a visit. Whether it means “go” or “come” depends on the situation.

    The example 「10時に参ります」 gives the time of a visit. Whether it means “go” or “come” depends on the situation.

  6. 「参りますので」 explains that you are on your way, leading into “please wait a moment” and reassuring the listener as they wait.

    「参りますので」 explains that you are on your way, leading into “please wait a moment” and reassuring the listener as they wait.

Example sentences

  • 10時じゅうじjuujiにni参ります。まいりますmairimasu

    I will be there at 10:00.

  • 参りますまいりますmairimasuのnoで、でde少々しょうしょうshoushouお待ちおまちomachiください。くださいkudasai

In a conversation

  • A
    明日あすはわ何時なんじに来られますこられますか。か

    What time can you come tomorrow?

  • B
    9 く時じに参ります。まいります

    I'll be there at 9:00.

Check yourself

  1. Level 0 · Conjugate

    Change your own “go / come” to 参る. Keep the tense and negation. 謙譲語(参る)

    私は明日、そちらへ(行きますいきます)。

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  3. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  4. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    I will come at 9 AM tomorrow.

  5. Level 3 · Use

    What goes in the blank?

    田中と申します。アルバイトの面接で 。

    My name is Tanaka. I came for the part-time job interview.

More grammar in this theme

  • 参りますhumble go or come

More JLPT N5 grammar

Keep practising

Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme

I'm coming, so please wait a moment.

A
分かりました。わかりました待っまっています。います

Understood. I'll be waiting.

  • B
    はい、はい参りますまいりますので、でよろしくお願いおねがいします。します

    Yes, I'll be there. Thank you.

  • Beginner 3
    New Life
    More quizzesOpen this lesson’s quizzes in the course
    いらっしゃいますrespectful be, come, go
    〜と申しますformal humble self-introduction
    可能形ability or possibility
    〜ので/〜なのでreason; gentle explanation
    〜ならif; under that condition
    〜のが好きですlike doing; be good at
    〜のは〜ですmake an activity the topic
    〜ようになりますbecome able; develop a habit
    Previous〜ので/〜なので
    Next〜なら
    See all 111
    〜は〜ですdescribing a noun
    〜ていますwearing state
    〜てはいけませんprohibited action
    て形link actions; form requests
    〜と読みます・〜と書いてありますis read as / says
    〜はどういう意味ですかwhat does ~ mean?
    〜にしますI’ll choose / have ~
    〜たらwhen / after ~