Coming to for a purpose with 〜に来る
Grammar: Purpose » 〜に来る
[verb]に来る means “come somewhere to do something”. Put purpose marker に after the verb stem.
Usage Notes
It is used when someone comes toward the speaker, listener, or current place to do something. It requires physical movement to a location, so it fits activities like eating, playing, or studying, but not abstract or non-physical purposes.
Formation
- Noun (place) + へ or に or で + Verb stem + に + 来る
- 川へ釣りに来た
- "I came to the river to fish."
- Noun (place) + へ or に or で + Noun (する) + に + 来る
- 日本へ勉強しに来た
- "I came to Japan to study."
Note: The place name is optional in each of these formations.
Further Reading
- 〜に行く/来る FOR "TO GO/COME TO DO SOMETHING" (tofugu.com)
Related Grammar
- Going to for a purpose with 〜に行く
- Returning to for a purpose with 〜に来る
Examples
Coming to buy coffee mugs with 〜に来る
Rize explains to Syaro why she and her friends are at the store.
- リゼ:
- 「喫茶店で使うカップ買いに来たんだよ」
- “We came to buy cups to use at the café.”
Coming to meet someone with 〜に来る
Syaro tries to find out whose misunderstanding lead to the group visiting her workplace.
- ココア:
- 「私たちシャロちゃんに会いに来ただけだよ？」
- “We just came to see you, Sharo-chan.”
Coming to visit with 〜に来る
Chiya and Syaro visit Cocoa, even though it’s raining out.
- ココア:
- 「二人ともこんな天気なのに遊びに来てくれてありがとね」
- “Thanks, both of you, for coming to visit even in weather like this.”
