The Difference Between「伺う」と「訪ねる」の違い｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

(Joy visiting a client [Ukagau] vs. Joy visiting a friend [Tazuneru])

“I will visit your office tomorrow.” If you say “Ashita, ofisu wo tazunemasu,” it sounds a bit like you are going on a sightseeing tour. In business, you must use the humble verb 伺います (Ukagaimasu). Let’s master the difference between business visits and casual visits with Joy and Ken!

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy is confirming an appointment with a client on the phone.

Joy

はい、では明日（あした）の3時に、御社（おんしゃ）を訪（たず）ねます！ (Okay, I will “visit” your company at 3 PM tomorrow!)

Ken

ストップ！Joyさん。お客様（きゃくさま）のところへ行くときは、伺（うかが）いますを使いましょう。 (Stop! Joy. When going to a client’s place, let’s use “Ukagaimasu”.)

💡 Explanation

Are you visiting a “Superior” or just a “Place”?

Point 1: Ukagau (伺う) = To Visit (Humble)

Type: Humble Verb (Kenjougo) Use this when YOU visit a superior’s place (client, teacher, boss’s house). By using “Ukagau,” you lower yourself and show respect to the person you are meeting. *Note: “Ukagau” also means “to ask” or “to hear” in humble form.

明日、そちらに伺います。 (I will visit you tomorrow. [Business Standard])
お話を伺いたいです。 (I would like to ask/hear your story.)

Point 2: Tazuneru (訪ねる) = To Visit (Standard)

Type: Standard Verb Use this for visiting friends, historical spots, or general locations. It focuses on the act of paying a visit, not the social hierarchy.

京都（きょうと）のお寺（てら）を訪ねました。 (I visited a temple in Kyoto.)
友達（ともだち）の家（いえ）を訪ねる。 (Visit a friend’s house.)

📊 Comparison Table

Word	Type	Who do you visit?
伺う (Ukagau)	Humble (Kenjougo)	Clients, Bosses, Teachers (Showing Respect)
訪ねる (Tazuneru)	Standard	Friends, Tourist Spots (Neutral)

🚧 Joy’s Mistake

(Asking the President about his vacation) ❌ Wrong: 社長、京都（きょうと）に 伺いました か？ (Wait! “Ukagau” lowers the person who does the action. If you say this, you are saying the President humbly visited Kyoto. You are lowering the President!) ✅ Right: 社長、京都に いらっしゃいました か？ (Use the Honorific form “Irassharu” for the President’s action.)