venir / arriver

[semiller]

"Venir" usually has the meaning of "to come" as in "Je viens à l'école tous les jours sauf le dimanche." Why do people use the verb "arriver" to mean "to come" as in the expression, "Attends-moi! J'arrive." Is it because the action is about to happen in the near, immediate future? When are other examples of when "arriver" is used where "venir" would be used? Merci d'avance!

 

[fetchezlavache]

ah but one can also say 'attends-moi, je viens !' although it's less common... i guess it's simply a matter of usage and there is no more to it ...

regarding your first sentence, we would say 'je vais à l'école'. sorry.

 

[ishatar]

Is it because the action is about to happen in the near, immediate future?

It's all about usage, but I'd say you're right.
"Je viens" sounds less immediate to me.

 

[OlivierG]

There is a difference between "venir" et "arriver".
Venir is being on the way, while arriver reaching the location.
When saying "Attends-moi, j'arrive", it is a way to infer you will be immediately here, without delay.
For example :
"Bon, tu viens, on va être en retard !
- Oui, ça va, j'arrive !"