出る (deru) is one of the most versatile verbs in Japanese — it appears in dozens of everyday expressions. Master it and your Japanese will jump to the next level!


Absolutely! 出る literally means “to come out / exit,” but it shows up in contexts from answering the phone to appearing on TV to getting results. Let’s go through the key uses!
| Use | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Exit / go out | 外に出る | To go outside |
| Leave (transport) | 電車が出る | The train departs |
| Appear on | テレビに出る | To appear on TV |
| Answer | 電話に出る | To answer the phone |
| Attend | 会議に出る | To attend a meeting |
| Come out (result) | 答えが出る | An answer comes out |
| Emerge (symptom) | 症状が出る | Symptoms appear |
Core Meaning: Coming Out
The heart of 出る is “something moving from inside to outside” — physically or abstractly. Once you understand this core, the many uses become intuitive.
Physical Movement Uses
- 外に出る。— To go outside.
- 家を出る。— To leave the house.
- 駅を出る。— To exit the station.
- お湯が出る。— Hot water comes out.
- 涙が出る。— Tears come out (I cry).
Appearance and Publication
- テレビに出る。— To appear on TV.
- 本が出る。— A book comes out (is published).
- 新製品が出た。— A new product came out.
- ニュースに出た。— It was in the news.
Participation and Attendance
- 会議に出る。— To attend a meeting.
- 試合に出る。— To participate in a match.
- 授業に出る。— To attend class.
Results and Responses
- 電話に出る。— To answer the phone.
- 答えが出る。— An answer comes out / is reached.
- 結果が出た。— The results are out.
- 症状が出る。— Symptoms appear.
- 効果が出る。— An effect appears.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
English speakers often forget that 出る can mean “to answer” (phone) or “to attend.” 電話に出る literally means “come out to the phone” — just learn it as a chunk. Similarly, 授業に出る means “to come out to class / attend class.”
Quick Quiz
How do you say “to answer the phone” in Japanese?
Answer: 電話に出る
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