Japanese word of the day: 借りる (Kariru)

What does 借りる (Kariru) mean?

借りる (Kariru) (る-verb, transitive) – To borrow; to rent; to have the use of something temporarily. This verb is used when you take something with permission and plan to return it, whether it’s a book from the library, a car, or even an apartment.

Kanji details for 借

Character: 借 — borrow, rent
Radical: man, human 人 (亻)

Example sentences with 借りる (Kariru)

• 図書館で本を借りました。
  (Toshokan de hon o karimashita.)
  📚 I borrowed a book from the library.

• 友達からお金を借りた。
  (Tomodachi kara okane o karita.)
  💸 I borrowed money from a friend.

• 車を借りて旅行しました。
  (Kuruma o karite ryokō shimashita.)
  🚗 I rented a car and went on a trip.

Confused about how to conjugate 借りる (Kariru)?
Our conjugation tables can help.

借りる (Kariru) in context

借りる is a practical verb you’ll use for all kinds of temporary use, from borrowing everyday items to renting property or vehicles. It’s polite and always implies you’ll return what you took. In Japanese, there’s a clear distinction between 借りる (to borrow) and 貸す (kasu, to lend)—make sure to use the right one depending on who is giving and who is receiving.

A quick tip: For formal or business situations, you might hear お借りします (okari shimasu), which is a more polite way to say “I’ll borrow.”

Whether you’re checking out a book, renting an apartment, or just borrowing a pen, 借りる is an essential verb for daily life in Japan.