近寄る・近よる|ちかよるchikayoru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
近寄る近寄る（ちかよる） is the most common spelling and combines kanji with kana; use it when writing this verb, especially as a beginner.
近よる近よる（ちかよる） is a less common spelling of the same verb, also combining kanji with kana; you may encounter it, but beginners should generally choose 近寄る instead.
Definitions
- godan verb, intransitive verbto approach; to draw near
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 近寄る（ちかよる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 近寄ります（ちかよります） |
| Negative (nai) | 近寄らない（ちかよらない） |
| polite (masen) | 近寄りません（ちかよりません） |
| classical zu / nu | 近寄らず・近寄らぬ（ちかよらず・ちかよらぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 近寄った（ちかよった） |
| polite (mashita) | 近寄りました（ちかよりました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 近寄らなかった（ちかよらなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 近寄りませんでした（ちかよりませんでした） |
| Te form | 近寄って（ちかよって） |
| Potential | 近寄れる（ちかよれる） |
| Passive | 近寄られる（ちかよられる） |
| Causative | 近寄らせる（ちかよらせる） |
| Causative passive | 近寄らせられる・近寄らされる（ちかよらせられる・ちかよらされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 近寄れば（ちかよれば） |
| tara | 近寄ったら（ちかよったら） |
| Volitional | 近寄ろう（ちかよろう） |
| polite (mashou) | 近寄りましょう（ちかよりましょう） |
| Imperative | 近寄れ（ちかよれ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym近づくちかづくNeutralCovers approaching in general, including time and relationships, as in 「試験が近づく」; 「近寄る」 is mostly for people moving close.
- Synonym接近せっきんWrittenA noun for closing in or drawing near, also for levels becoming similar, as in 「台風が接近する」; leans toward written, formal prose.
- Synonym寄るよるNeutralMeans to move close or gather, and also to stop by somewhere, as in 「店に寄る」; broader in use than 「近寄る」.
- Synonym詰め寄るつめよるNeutralMeans to close in on someone and press them, as in 「責任者に詰め寄る」; carries an interrogating nuance.
- Related迫るせまるNeutralMeans to close in or loom imminent, and can also mean pressing someone; carries a sense of pressure, as in 「期限が迫る」.
- RelatedアプローチNeutralA loanword for the method or route of approaching a target, or for making a move on someone.
- Related寄せるよせるNeutralTransitive: brings something close, as in 「車を脇に寄せる」, and can also mean sending over opinions or messages.
- Antonym遠ざかるとおざかるNeutralAntonym: to move away or drift apart, the opposite of 「近寄る」.
Use 「近寄る」 when a person or animal moves close, as in 「危険な場所に近寄るな」. 「近づく」 covers approaching in general, time and relationships; 「迫る」 is for something imminent or pressing; 「寄る」 for stopping by; 「詰め寄る」 for pressing with questions; 「遠ざかる」 for moving away.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
