参ります（まいります、mairiまsu）
- to come (humble)

参ります (まいります) is a polite and humble form of the verb 行く (いく - to go) and 来る (くる - to come). It is used to express the speaker's action of going or coming, but always with a sense of deference and respect towards the listener or the person being spoken about. It indicates that the speaker is presenting their action as one that is done in service or out of respect for the other person. The use of [参ります] also signifies the speaker's awareness of their place in a hierarchical relationship, such as in a business setting or when speaking to someone of higher social standing.

⚫︎ 会社に[参ります] Translation: I am going to the office. ⚫︎ これから伺います。, [参ります]. Translation: I will be there shortly. / I'm coming now. ⚫︎ ただいま、[参ります]！ Translation: I'm coming right now! (used when responding to a call or someone is coming to the door)

⚫︎ Use [参ります] in formal situations, such as: ⚫︎ When speaking to a superior at work. ⚫︎ When interacting with customers or clients. ⚫︎ When making an announcement. ⚫︎ In more casual but polite setting ⚫︎ It's often used when you are on your way somewhere, or reporting to a superior your plan to go somewhere. ⚫︎ Avoid using [参ります] when speaking with close friends or family, because it may sound overly formal and stiff. Instead, use more casual forms like 行く (いく) or 来る (くる).

⚫︎ [参ります] is written in hiragana as まいります. ⚫︎ The kanji is 参ります. ⚫︎ There are no common variations in okurigana.

⚫︎ 伺います (うかがいます - to visit, to call on): More formal and specifically implies a visit. ⚫︎ 参上します (さんじょうします - to come, to appear): Extremely polite and implies arriving to be in service. ⚫︎ 行きます (いきます - to go): The plain form, which is not as polite. ⚫︎ 来ます (きます - to come): The plain form, which is not as polite.

⚫︎ The opposite of [参ります] doesn't directly exist, because it is more about the level of politeness. ⚫︎ However, the plain forms of 行く (いく) or 来る (くる) can be considered the less polite forms.

田中さんは、会議に[参ります]。 ・Translation: Mr. Tanaka will attend the meeting. ・Explanation: This sentence uses [参ります] to show respect when reporting Mr. Tanaka's action of going to the meeting.

まもなく、そちらへ[参ります] ・Translation: I will be there shortly. ・Explanation: This sentence is used when the speaker is on the way to the location and is showing respect to the listener.

⚫︎ 参る (まいる) is originally derived from the verb 詣る (まいる - to visit a shrine or temple). ⚫︎ Over time, its meaning expanded to include the sense of "going" or "coming" in a humble and respectful manner, and is used in a wide range of situations. ⚫︎ The verb 参る (まいる) itself has various usages, including to be defeated, to be at a loss, etc., but when it's used as [参ります] it's a polite expression of 行く (いく) and 来る (くる).