寄る vs 訪ねる
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 寄る
Listen to 訪ねる
| 寄る | 訪ねる |
|---|---|
YOH-ru verb | たずねる verb |
| to stop by; to drop in briefly; to get closer | to visit; to call on someone |
How they differ
訪ねる implies going to see a person or place with some intention, such as visiting someone’s home or calling on a person. 寄る is lighter and more casual, and it does not necessarily suggest a planned or polite visit.
When to use each
When to use 寄る: Use 寄る for an informal, quick stop that does not sound like a formal visit.
When to use 訪ねる: Use 訪ねる when the visit is deliberate and you want to sound more polite or purposeful.
Side-by-side examples
- 友達の家に寄った。
(I stopped by my friend’s house.) - 友達の家を訪ねた。
(I visited my friend at home.)
Register & nuance: 訪ねる is a bit more formal and intentional than 寄る.