参る

• Reading: まいる
• Romaji: mairu
• Kanji breakdown: 参 (san/mai) — participate, visit, go (humble)
• Pronunciation: /ma.i.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To go; to come (humble). A humble expression used in place of 行く and 来る in formal situations.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb. One of the key humble (謙譲語) verbs in Japanese. The speaker uses 参る to lower their own action of going or coming when speaking to someone of higher status. Also used in the set phrase 参りました (I give up / I am defeated). Essential for polite business Japanese.

Examples

1. 明日の午前中にそちらに参ります。 I will come to your place tomorrow morning.
2. すぐに参りますので少々お待ちください。 I'll be right there, so please wait just a moment.
3. この暑さには参りました。 This heat is really getting to me.

Usage Guide

Context: business, customer service, formal speech

Tone: polite

Origin & History

The kanji 参 originally meant to join or participate (as in 参加). Its humble meaning of going/coming developed through the idea of humbly presenting oneself before someone of higher status.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Business/Formal