Explore 伺 in polite situations where you speak humbly about your own actions.
The idea
伺 has seven strokes. 伺う（うかがう） is a humble verb for visiting, asking or hearing; context tells you which. 伺います is its polite form.
| Expression | Reading | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 伺います | うかがいます | I will visit your office tomorrow. |
| 伺う | うかがう | May I ask your name? |
| 伺う | うかがう | I heard the news from the teacher. |
Examples
- 明日、御社の事務所に伺います。I will visit your office tomorrow.
- お名前を伺ってもよろしいですか。May I ask your name?
- 先生からその話を伺いました。I heard the news from the teacher.
- 三時にそちらへ伺います。I will visit you at three.
- ご意見を伺いたいです。I would like to ask your opinion.
- 課長から計画について伺いました。I heard about the plan from the section chief.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not use 伺う for the respected person’s own action. 訪ねる and 聞く are neutral; 伺う humbles the speaker’s action.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 伺う in hiragana.
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うかがう
伺う is read うかがう; it can mean to visit or ask humbly.
Write the polite form of 伺う.
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伺います
伺います is the polite form of 伺う; here the destination makes it a visit.
Choose the kanji: お名前を＿います。［伺／司］
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伺
伺 completes 伺う; the question makes the meaning “ask”.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 伺う in hiragana.
Write the polite form of 伺う.
Choose the kanji: お名前を＿います。［伺／司］
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Read the examples aloud, then make one sentence about a visit and another about a question.