Japanese word

伺う

Pronunciation

Romajiukagau

Meaning

  • verbask

Example

駅員に道を伺います。eki in ni michi o ukaga i ma su

I will ask a station worker for directions.

Illustration for 伺う (ask)

More examples

失礼ですが、お名前を伺ってもよろしいですか。shitsu rei de su ga o na mae o ukaga tte mo yo ro shi i de su ka

Excuse me, may I ask your name?

Core concept

Frames asking, listening, or visiting as an action carried out with humility toward the other person.

Common phrases

  • お名前を伺うo na mae o ukaga u

    ask for your name

  • 道を伺うmichi o ukaga u

    ask for directions

Similar words

尋ねるtazuneru: To ask someone for information in a neutral manner.
聞くkiku: To ask someone for information in ordinary conversation.

Definition in Japanese

相手への敬意を示しながら、物事を尋ねたり話を聞いたり、相手を訪ねたりすることを表す。ai te e no kei i o shime shi na ga ra mono goto o tazu ne ta ri hanashi o ki i ta ri ai te o tazu ne ta ri su ru ko to o arawa su

Word origin

伺う (ukagau) is a native Japanese verb whose meanings include asking, listening, and visiting in humble speech, while its older word formation is not certain.

Usage tips

  • In polite conversation, 伺います (ukagaimasu) can mean "I will ask" or "I will visit," so the surrounding situation determines its meaning.

Other meanings

  • visitverb
  • listen to ___verb

Related words

  • 伺いukagaiinquirynoun

Word lists with this word