“To call” in Japanese is 呼ぶ (よぶ), pronounced yobu.
Pronunciation
The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To call someone over or call for something. Calling on the phone is 電話する.
Example sentences
- タクシーを呼んでください。タクシーをよんでください。Please call a taxi.
- 名前を呼ばれました。なまえをよばれました。My name was called.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 呼ぶ. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 呼ぶ よぶ | call |
| Polite present | 呼びます よびます | call |
| Polite negative | 呼びません よびません | don’t call |
| Polite past | 呼びました よびました | past of “call” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 呼ばない よばない | don’t call (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 呼んだ よんだ | past of “call” (casual) |
| て-form | 呼んで よんで | call and… / please call (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 呼びたい よびたい | want to call |
Quick practice
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Which word means “to remember”?
Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to call in Japanese?
To call in Japanese is 呼ぶ (よぶ), pronounced “yobu”.
How do you write to call in Japanese?
It's written 呼ぶ with kanji, or よぶ in hiragana. Both are read yobu.
Is 呼ぶ on the JLPT?
Yes. 呼ぶ (yobu) is a common word at JLPT N4 level, so it's worth learning early.