Japanese word

近寄る

Pronunciation

Romajichikayoru

Meaning

  • verbapproach

Example

危険な犬には近寄りません。ki ken na inu ni wa chika yo ri ma se n

I do not approach dangerous dogs.

Illustration for 近寄る (approach)

More examples

迷子が母親に近寄ってきました。maigo ga haha oya ni chika yo tte ki ma shi ta

The lost child came over to their mother.

Core concept

Expresses moving closer to a person or thing, with the distance between them becoming smaller.

Common phrases

  • 犬に近寄るinu ni chika yo ru

    approach a dog

  • 近寄ってくるchika yo tte ku ru

    come closer

  • 近寄りすぎるchika yo ri su gi ru

    get too close

Similar words

近づくchikazuku: To get nearer to a person or thing through physical movement.
接近するsekkinsuru: To draw near to a person or thing in a formal or objective manner.
寄るyoru: To come near a person or thing, with the action sometimes including a brief visit.

Definition in Japanese

人や物などとの距離が近くなるように、そのそばへ行くこと。hito ya mono na do to no kyo ri ga chika ku na ru yō ni so no so ba e i ku ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese words 近い (chikai, "near") and 寄る (yoru, "draw near") combine in 近寄る (chikayoru) to describe coming close.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 近寄る (chikayoru) often describes physical movement toward someone or something, while に (ni) marks the destination of that movement.

Opposites

Related words

  • 近寄り方chikayorikataway of approachingnoun

Word lists with this word