2

What is the origin and exact meaning of 馳せ参じる (はせさんじる)? From what I've heard, it's an old samurai saying, and it means something along the lines of "To go forward in haste". Anyone know?

1

1 Answer 1

7

馳せ参じる is a compound verb made of 馳【は】せる and 参【さん】じる, and means "to flock in haste", "to come at once (to someone higher than the speaker)".

馳せる means "to make (something) run/spread", but this verb has almost fallen out of use except in a few fixed expressions such as 名を馳せる, 思いを馳せる.

参じる is a variant of 参ずる, which is a humble version of 行く/来る. But this word also sounds archaic, and people usually use 参【まい】る instead today.

馳せ参じる sounds indeed somewhat samurai-sh and/or militaristic, because this word is typically used like "将軍のもとに馳せ参じる", "戦場に馳せ参じる". This verb is too grandiose for everyday conversations, but it's possible to use it in front of your boss or client without sounding funny (as long as you speak very good Japanese).

(to your client) お電話を頂ければ、1時間以内に馳せ参じます。

2
  • 4
    Actually, they come from old Japanese 馳す link + 参ず link, and it goes back to even around 13 AD. But +1.
    – user7644
    Jun 11, 2016 at 18:00
  • 1
    ^ 13 AD って「西暦13年」って意味ですよね・・・ (「西暦13世紀」(the 13th century)って書こうとしたとかじゃないですよね・・・)
    – chocolate
    Jun 13, 2016 at 5:44

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .