呼ぶ

よぶ
Alternative writings: 喚ぶ
JLPT:N5
Frequency:

1To call out or shout to someone; to call by name or call for attention.

Group 1 VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

子供が遠くから母親を呼んだ。

The child called out to his mother from afar.

名前を呼ばれたら、手を挙げてください。

If your name is called, please raise your hand.

彼女は助けを求めて大声で呼んだ。

She called out loudly for help.

2To summon someone (e.g., a doctor); to call for help or request someone's presence.

Group 1 VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

夜中に急に具合が悪くなって、救急車を呼んだ。

In the middle of the night I suddenly felt ill and called an ambulance.

料理中に火事が起き、店主は消防を呼んだ。

A fire broke out while cooking, and the owner called the fire department.

具合が悪いので、母は近所の医者を呼んだ。

Because he felt unwell, his mother summoned the neighborhood doctor.

3To invite someone (to an event or gathering); to ask someone to come.

Group 1 VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

週末に友達を家に呼んだ。

I invited friends to my house for the weekend.

彼は先生を忘年会に呼んだが、忙しくて来られなかった。

He invited the teacher to the year-end party, but the teacher was too busy to come.

招待状で二百人を呼ぶ予定だ。

We plan to invite 200 people by invitation.

4To designate or name someone/something; to call by a particular name or label.

Group 1 VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

その鳥は地元で「幸せの鳥」と呼ばれている。

That bird is called 'the bird of happiness' locally.

彼女を『天才』と呼ぶ人が多い。

Many people call her a 'genius'.

この風習は『七年祭』と呼ばれている。

This custom is called the 'seven-year festival'.

5To elicit or attract (support, attention, reaction); to generate a response or gather support.

Group 1 VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

新しい政策は国民の支持を呼んだ。

The new policy drew public support.

その映画は大きな話題を呼んだ。

That movie created a big buzz.

彼の率直な発言は議論を呼んだ。

His frank remark sparked debate.

6Archaic: to take as one's wife; to marry (archaic usage).

Group 1 VerbTransitive VerbArchaic

Examples

古文では「呼ぶ」が「妻にする(娶る)」の意味で使われることがある。

In classical texts, 'yobu' is sometimes used in the sense of 'to take as a wife (to marry)'.