Meaning & usage
The auxiliary くる after a verb in て-form describes an action moving toward the speaker, as in 走ってくる or 持ってくる, or a change that starts and continues up to the present. It attaches to the て-form of the main verb, giving てくる for ongoing or future direction and てきた for a completed arrival or established change. In writing the auxiliary is normally in hiragana, and in casual speech てくる often shortens to てく.
Example sentences 6
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私たちのほうへ走ってくる少年はだれですか。
Who is that boy running toward us?
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昼食は持ってこなくてもいいよ。
You do not have to bring your lunch.
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彼は愛想よく話し掛けてきた。
He spoke to me pleasantly.
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彼女は私に助けを求めてきた。
She asked me for help.
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数人の学生が図書館へやってきた。
Several students came to the library.
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その少年は帰ってきた。
The boy came back.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 3 past exam questions.
