Japanese word

通う

Pronunciation

Romajikayou

Meaning

  • verbgo to regularly, go regularly to

Example

毎日学校に通います。mai nichi gak kō ni kayo i ma su

I go to school every day.

Illustration for 通う (go to regularly)

More examples

友だちと同じ学校に通います。tomo da chi to ona ji gak kō ni kayo i ma su

I go to the same school as my friend.

仕事の帰りにジムへ通っています。shi goto no kae ri ni ji mu e tō tte i ma su

I go to the gym after work.

Core concept

Expresses repeated travel to a fixed destination, often for school, work, or lessons.

Common phrases

  • 料理教室に通うryō ri kyō shitsu ni kayo u

    attend a cooking class regularly

  • 学校に通うgak kō ni kayo u

    go to school regularly

  • 会社に通うkai sha ni kayo u

    commute to work

Similar words

通勤するtsūkinsuru: To go regularly from home to a workplace.
通学するtsūgakusuru: To go regularly from home to a school.

Definition in Japanese

学校や職場などに、日常的に繰り返し行く。gak kō ya shoku ba na do ni nichi jō teki ni ku ri kae shi i ku

Word origin

通う (kayō) is a native Japanese verb inherited from 通ふ (kayō), an older form that expressed going back and forth repeatedly.

Usage tips

  • 通う (kayō) applies to regular lessons as well as school or work, so it covers both attending and commuting without implying a one-time visit.

Other meanings

  • attendverb
  • commuteverb

Related words

  • 通いkayoiregular attendancenoun
  • 通い方kayoikataway of attendingnoun

Word lists with this word