GRAMMAR
〜てくる
to do ~ and come back
to become, to continue
Explanation
NOTE
〜てくる has three uses: (1) go do X and come back; (2) something begins to happen; (3) something has continued up to now.
空が暗くなってきた。
The sky has begun to get dark.
Use ② — a change is developing toward now
NOTE
The くる element suggests movement toward the present moment — change coming closer in time.
ずっと日本語を勉強してきた。
I have been studying Japanese all along up to now.
This expresses an action that started in the past and has continued up to the present.
STRUCTURE
Vて
くるちょっとコンビニに買い物してくる。
Chotto konbini ni kaimono shite kuru.
I'll go do some shopping at the convenience store and come back.
日本語が分かるようになってきた。
Nihongo ga wakaru yō ni natte kita.
I have come to understand Japanese gradually.
雨が降ってきた。
Ame ga futte kita.
It has started raining.
Practice exercises
1
寒くなってきたね。
It has started to get cold, hasn't it.
Answer
なってきた
2
少し疲れてきた。
I've started to get a bit tired.
Answer
てきた
3
牛乳を買ってくる。
I'll go buy some milk and come back.
Answer
買ってくる
4
最近、暖かく暖かくなってきました。
Recently, it has started to become warm.
Answer
暖かくなってきました暖かくなってきました
5
最近、少し寒く寒くなってきた。
Recently, it has become a little cold.
Answer
寒くなってきた
6
日本語が分かるようになってきた。
I have come to understand Japanese gradually.
Answer
てきた
7
コンビニに飲み物を買ってくる。
I'll go buy a drink at the convenience store and come back.
Answer
てくる
8
長年努力を積み重ねてきたからこそ、今の自分がある。
It is precisely because I have been accumulating effort over the years that I am who I am today.
Answer
てきた