Japanese word

参上

Pronunciation

Romajisanjō

Meaning

  • nouncall on

Example

明日、先生のところへ参上します。asu sen sei no to ko ro e san jō shi ma su

I will call on my teacher tomorrow.

Illustration for 参上 (call on)

More examples

必要な書類を持って参上いたします。hitsu yō na sho rui o mo tte san jō i ta shi ma su

I will call on you with the necessary documents.

Core concept

Describes going to a superior's place and presenting oneself with humility.

Common phrases

  • 参上の折san jō no ori

    on one's visit

Similar words

訪問hōmon: To go to a person or place for a visit, usually for a stated purpose.
来訪raihō: To come to a person or place as a visitor, with focus on the arrival.
拝謁haietsu: To meet a sovereign or other high-ranking person in a formal audience.

Definition in Japanese

目上の人のもとへ行くことを、へりくだって表す語。me ue no hito no mo to e i ku ko to o he ri ku da tte arawa su go

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 参上 (sanjō) combines 参 (san, "go or visit") with 上 (jō, "up"), expressing a humble visit to a superior.

Usage tips

  • In English, call on can also mean asking a student to answer in class, so its meaning as a visit depends on context.

Related words

  • 参上するsanjōsurucall onverb

Word lists with this word