Translation and Meaning of: 通う - kayou

The Japanese word 通う [かよう] is a common verb in everyday life in Japan, but its meaning and usage go beyond a simple translation. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is written in kanji, its origin, and even tips for memorizing it effectively. If you are studying Japanese or just curious about the language, understanding 通う can be an important step to expand your vocabulary.

In addition to its literal meaning, we will see how this word is perceived culturally by the Japanese, its frequency in everyday life, and practical examples of usage. If you have ever used the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you know how important it is to have clear and reliable information about Japanese words. Here, we will unravel everything about 通う in a straightforward and useful manner.

Meaning and usage of 通う [かよう]

The verb 通う means "to go and come regularly" or "to frequent" a place. It is used when someone travels repeatedly to a specific destination, such as school, work, or even a leisure spot. For example, if you go to the gym every week, you can say ジムに通う (jimu ni kayou).

Unlike other verbs like 行く (iku - to go) or 来る (kuru - to come), 通う (kayou) carries the idea of a continuous and habitual journey. This nuance is important for those who want to speak Japanese naturally. The term can also be used metaphorically, as in 電流が通う (denryuu ga kayou - the electric current passes), showcasing its versatility.

The origin and writing of the kanji 通う

The kanji 通, present in 通う, is composed of the radical 辶 (which indicates movement) and 甬 (which suggests the idea of passage). Together, they form a character that represents crossing, connecting, or circulating. This composition helps to understand why 通う is related to recurring movements.

According to the Kangorin dictionary, this kanji was already used in ancient Chinese with similar meanings before being incorporated into Japanese. Interestingly, it also appears in other words like 通る (tooru - to pass through) and 通じる (tsuujiru - to be understood), showing how a single ideogram can have various uses.

Tips for memorizing and using 通う in everyday life

An effective way to memorize 通う is to associate it with routines. Think of places you go to regularly and try to form sentences like 大学に通う (daigaku ni kayou - attend university). This practice helps to remember not only the verb but also particles like に, used with it.

Another tip is to observe this verb in real contexts, such as in animes or dramas that show characters going to school or work. Constant exposure to authentic situations allows the brain to assimilate the term naturally. In Suki Nihongo, you can find examples like this to enrich your studies.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 通う

• 通う - verb of the form う
• 通える - potential
• 通う - Form Te
• 通いたい - Desirable form
• 通った - past
• 通いたくない - Negative

Synonyms and similar words

• 通う (かよう) - Go and come back; attend (a place regularly)
• 通い (かよう) - Frequenting; the act of going back and forth (can refer to a specific place such as school or work)
• 通じる (つうじる) - Understand; be understood; connect (concepts or people)
• 通ずる (つうずる) - To have a relationship; to be able to communicate (similar to 通じる, but can have a more formal tone)

通う

Romaji: kayou
Kana: かよう
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: to move; go and come back

Meaning in English: to commute;to go back and forth

Definition: Visit a certain place or institution frequently.

Example Sentences - (通う) kayou

See below some example sentences:

彼らの意見は似通っている。

Karera no iken wa nitōtte iru

Their opinions are similar.

Their opinions are similar.

• 彼らの - possessive pronoun that means "theirs"
• 意見 - noun that means "opinion"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 似通っている - verb that means "to be similar" conjugated in the affirmative present

私は高等学校に通っています。

Watashi wa kōtōgakkō ni kayotte imasu

I am attending high school.

I'm going to high school.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 高等学校 (koutou gakkou) - The noun that means "high school".
• に (ni) - grammatical particle that indicates the direction or purpose of the action, in this case "to go to"
• 通っています (kayotteimasu) - The verb that means "to be attending" in the polite present continuous form is "通っています" (している, shite iru) for informal contexts.

私は毎日学校に通っています。

Watashi wa mainichi gakkou ni kayotte imasu

I go to school every day.

I go to school every day.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 毎日 (mainichi) - means "every day" in Japanese
• 学校 (gakkou) - means "school" in Japanese
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• 通っています (kayotte imasu) - It means "I am going" or "I am attending" in Japanese.

私は公立大学に通っています。

Watashi wa kōritsu daigaku ni kayotteimasu

I study at a public university.

I go to a public university.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 公立大学 - compound noun that means "public university"
• に - locative particle that indicates the place where the action takes place
• 通っています - verb that means "to attend" in the present continuous