How to say "woo" in Japanese

• 言い寄るいいよる
  godan verb, intransitive verbCovers the courting sense of 'woo' — approaching someone you hope to win over. It is less common, and since it can also mean 'to approach defiantly', context must make the romantic intent clear.
  彼かれがあまり熱心ねっしんに言い寄いいよってきたので、その晩ばん彼かれのお相手あいてをした女性じょせいは、とうとう参まいってしまった。↗

  He was so vigorous in making love that his companion for the evening went down for the count.
• モーションをかける
  expression, ichidan verbFocuses on making advances — the moves you make on someone whose interest you want, not necessarily romantically, since it can also mean working on someone. Less common, and usually written using kana alone.
• 口説くくどくCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbThe common choice for the wooing sense: actively trying to win someone over, whether courting earnestly or making advances with seduction in mind. Use this when you simply mean 'woo'.
  それ、私を口説くどいてるの？↗

  Are you making a pass at me?

「口説く」 is the common choice for romantic wooing; 「言い寄る」 also means to court but is less common and can instead mean to approach defiantly; 「モーションをかける」 stresses making advances or working on someone.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 言い寄るいいよるto court
• モーションをかけるto make advances (to)
• 口説くくどくto make advances (to)