～てくる
To come to, To become, To continue, To be starting to, Has been ~ing
Structure
Explanation
This grammatical structure is formed by combining the て-form of a verb with the verb 来る (to come). To use it, simply change any verb to its て-form and add くる. The essential meaning is that an action is performed and then the subject comes, or will be performed before coming. The overall tense of the sentence is determined by the conjugation of くる.
- 今日はお弁当を持ってくるのを忘れちゃった。Oh no, I forgot to bring my lunch box today. (The action of 'coming with' my lunch was forgotten)
- コンビニでジュースを買ってきたよ。I went and bought some juice at the convenience store. (Bought and then 'came back')
てくる can describe movement through either physical space or through time. For physical movement toward the speaker, it is common to see the kanji 来る, although this is not a strict requirement and is often up to the writer's preference.
When referring to time, the nuance suggests that a change or process has been happening up until the present moment, or that something is beginning to happen now.
- 最近、だんだん暖かくなってきたね。It's gradually gotten warmer recently, hasn't it? (Works much like 'has gotten' in English)
This grammar serves as the counterpart to ていく, which describes a change that will begin from the present and move into the future, or an action that will continue onward.
Fun Fact
In English, the temporal usage of てくる is quite close to the expression 'to have started to (A)' or 'has been (A)-ing'. It highlights a process or change that began in the past and has continued up to the present moment. In many everyday contexts, translating it as 'gotten' or 'become' works very well.
Examples
ちょっとコンビニで牛乳を買ってくるね。
I'm just going to go buy some milk at the convenience store and come back.
だんだん眠くなってきた。
I'm starting to get sleepy. (has become)
犬がボールを拾ってきた。
The dog retrieved the ball. (pick up and come)
夜になったので、町が静かになってきた。
Since it became night, the town has gotten quiet.
駅まで友達を迎えにいってくる。
I'm going to go pick up my friend from the station and come back.
この仕事にもやっと慣れてきた。
I've finally gotten used to this job.
春が来て、だんだん暖かくなってきた。
Spring has arrived, and it's gradually getting warmer.
このゲーム、だんだん面白くなってきたぞ！
This game is getting really interesting!
急に雨が降ってきた。
It suddenly started raining.
昼ごはんを食べていないから、お腹が空いてきた。
I didn't eat lunch, so I'm starting to get hungry.
最近、夜は涼しくなってきていますね。
Recently, the nights have been getting cooler, haven't they?
秋の終わりで、ずいぶん寒くなってきた。
It's the end of autumn, so it has gotten quite cold. (has come to be)