Meaning and Usage
The verb 寄る (よる) primarily means "to stop by" or "to drop in" at a place briefly, often on the way somewhere else. It can also mean "to approach" or "to lean on" physically, such as leaning against a wall.
Common Contexts
- Stopping by a location briefly, like a store or a friend's house.
- Physically moving closer to or leaning on something or someone.
- Used in invitations or suggestions when mentioning a place to visit on the way.
Collocations and Patterns
- 寄る＋場所: to stop by a place (e.g., コンビニに寄る)
- 壁に寄る: to lean against a wall
- ～に寄って: indicating the place where one stops by
Register and Politeness
寄る is a casual to neutral verb used in everyday conversation. It is common in spoken Japanese and informal writing.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 寄る with 止まる (とまる), which means "to stop" but usually implies stopping completely or parking. 寄る implies a brief stop or approach rather than a full stop.