〜てくる combines て-form with 来る to express movement toward the speaker, changes up to now, or emergence.
Formation: Verb て-form + くる
It has gotten hotter recently.
Three main uses:
Physical movement toward - 持ってくる (bring)
Change up to now - 増えてきた (has been increasing)
Emergence/beginning - 雨が降ってきた (it started raining)
Contrast with 〜ていく:
| | てくる | ていく |
|---|--------|--------|
| Direction | Toward | Away |
| Time | Up to now | From now |
| Examples | 分かってきた (have come to understand) | 分かっていく (will come to understand) |
Common expressions:
• 〜てきた - Has been...-ing (change over time)
• 〜てくる - Will go and... (then come back)
• お腹が空いてきた - I'm getting hungry
Direction toward speaker/current state
- 雨が降ってきた (rain started [I noticed])
てくる vs ていく
- てくる = approaching/up to now
- ていく = moving away/continuing
Often expresses emergence or change you noticed
It started raining.
I will go buy souvenirs and come back.
I am getting sleepy.
I gradually came to understand.
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