Usage of 来 as a Prefix
The kanji 来 (らい) is commonly used as a prefix to indicate "next" in terms of time or sequence. It attaches to time-related nouns such as 週 (week), 月 (month), 年 (year), and others to express the upcoming or following period.
Common Collocations
- 来週 (らいしゅう): next week
- 来月 (らいげつ): next month
- 来年 (らいねん): next year
These are very common in everyday conversation and writing when talking about future plans or schedules.
Register and Usage Notes
来 is neutral in formality and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. It is often combined with time expressions to talk about future events.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 来 with 行く (to go) or 来る (to come) because they share the same kanji. However, when 来 is used as a prefix (らい～), it specifically means "next" and is not a verb. Make sure to recognize the context and reading to avoid confusion.