Translation and Meaning of: 借りる - kariru

If you are studying Japanese or simply curious about the language, you may have come across the word 借りる (かりる). It is a common verb in the daily life of the Japanese and has a very practical meaning. In this article, we will explore what this word really means, how it is used in different contexts, and even some tips to memorize it more easily. Furthermore, we will understand a bit about its origin and how it fits into Japanese culture.

The Suki Nihongo dictionary is a great reference for anyone looking to learn Japanese accurately, and 借りる is one of those verbs that frequently appears in both everyday conversations and study materials. If you want to know how to use it correctly or find out why it is so important, keep reading!

The meaning and use of 借りる (かりる)

借りる (かりる) means "to borrow" or "to rent." It is a verb that indicates the action of using something that belongs to another person or institution, with the intention of returning it later. For example, if you need a book that a friend has, you can say 本を借りる (ほんをかりる) – "to borrow the book." Similarly, if you are looking to rent an apartment, you would use アパートを借りる (あぱーとをかりる).

In Japan, this verb is widely used in everyday situations, from simple objects to more complex services, such as real estate and cars. An interesting curiosity is that, culturally, the Japanese tend to be very careful with borrowed items, always returning them on time and in perfect condition. This respect for others' belongings reflects important values of society.

The origin and writing of 借りる

The kanji 借 (しゃく) is composed of the radical 人 (person) and 昔 (the past), suggesting a relationship between people and something that comes from the past – in this case, a loan. The hiragana りる (riru) forms the verbal part, indicating action. This combination helps to understand that it refers to a verb related to a temporary exchange between individuals.

It is worth noting that 借りる is a Group 1 (ichidan) verb, which means its conjugation follows a more regular pattern. This makes it easier for those who are starting to learn Japanese. If you want to say "I will borrow," for example, just use 借ります (かります), and for the past, 借りた (かりた).

Tips for memorizing 借りる

An effective way to fix this word is to associate it with real situations. If you have ever rented a movie or borrowed a book from the library, think about how you would do this in Japanese. Repeating sentences like この本を借りてもいいですか？ (Can I borrow this book?) helps to internalize the vocabulary naturally.

Another tip is to contrast 借りる with its opposite, 貸す (かす – "to lend"). While one means to receive something temporarily, the other indicates the action of giving. This relationship of opposition can be useful for remembering both verbs at the same time, practically expanding your vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 貸す (Kasu) - lend
• 借りる (Kariru) - Borrowing
• 貸し借りする (Kashikari suru) - Borrowing and lending
• 賃借する (Chinjaku suru) - Rent (for use)
• 借用する (Shakuyou suru) - Using something that isn't yours
• 貸与する (Kayo suru) - Grant as a loan
• 貸し出す (Kashidasu) - Make a loan
• 借り受ける (Kariukeru) - Receive as a loan
• 貸し手 (Kashite) - Who lends
• 借り手 (Karite) - Who borrows
• 貸し借り (Kashikari) - Mutual loans
• 貸し出し (Kashidashi) - loan
• 貸し出し金 (Kashidashi kin) - Amount borrowed
• 貸し出し額 (Kashidashi gaku) - Loan amount

借りる

Romaji: kariru
Kana: かりる
Type: Noun or verb
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: to loan; have a loan; to hire; to hire; buy on credit

Meaning in English: to borrow;to have a loan;to hire;to rent;to buy on credit

Definition: borrow something from someone.

Example Sentences - (借りる) kariru

See below some example sentences:

私は明日図書館から本を借りる予定です。

Watashi wa ashita toshokan kara hon wo kariru yotei desu

I plan on borrowing a book from the library tomorrow.

I plan to rent a book from the library tomorrow.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 明日 (ashita) - Japanese adverb that means "tomorrow"
• 図書館 (toshokan) - Japanese noun meaning "library"
• から (kara) - particle indicating the origin or starting point, in this case, "from the library"
• 本 (hon) - Japanese noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action, in this case, "book"
• 借りる (kariru) - Japanese verb meaning "to lend"
• 予定 (yotei) - Japanese noun meaning "plan" or "schedule"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates formality and courtesy in the Japanese language

私は図書館から本を借りました。

Watashi wa toshokan kara hon o karimashita

I borrowed a book from the library.

I borrowed a book from the library.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 図書館 (toshokan) - noun meaning "biblioteca"
• から (kara) - grammatical particle that indicates origin or starting point
• 本 (hon) - noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 借りました (karimashita) - "borrowed"

貸間を借りたいです。

Kashima wo karitai desu

I want to borrow a rental space.

• 貸間 - "Room for rent" in Japanese.
• を - it is a object particle in Japanese, indicating that "貸間" is the object of the sentence.
• 借りたい - It is a verb in Japanese that means "to want to rent".
• です - It is a closing particle in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is a polite declaration.