Japanese word

借りる

Pronunciation

Romajikariru

Meaning

  • verbborrow

Example

友だちから本を借ります。tomo da chi ka ra hon o ka ri ma su

I borrow a book from a friend.

Illustration for 借りる (borrow)

More examples

図書館で本を借ります。to sho kan de hon o ka ri ma su

I borrow a book from the library.

授業のために先生から辞書を借ります。ju gyō no ta me ni sen sei ka ra ji sho o ka ri ma su

I borrow a dictionary from my teacher for class.

Core concept

Marks temporary use of something that belongs to someone else, whether it is returned later or used for a fee.

Common phrases

  • 本を借りるhon o ka ri ru

    borrow a book

  • お金を借りるo kane o ka ri ru

    borrow money

  • 傘を借りるkasa o ka ri ru

    borrow an umbrella

Similar words

レンタルするrentarusuru: To use an item for a set period in exchange for payment.

Definition in Japanese

他人の所有物を一時的に使うために受け取り、後で返すことや、料金を払って一時的に使うこと。ta nin no sho yū butsu o ichi ji teki ni tsuka u ta me ni u ke to ri ato de kae su ko to ya ryō kin o hara tte ichi ji teki ni tsuka u ko to

Word origin

借りる (kariru) comes from the native Japanese verb 借る (karu), meaning "to borrow," with the modern verb form replacing the older one.

Usage tips

  • The same Japanese verb covers both borrowing a book and renting a car, so the object and situation show whether payment is involved.

Other meanings

  • rentverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 借り方karikataway of borrowingnoun
  • 借り手kariteborrowernoun

Word lists with this word