What is the difference between 訪ねる and 訪問する?


I know the difference between 訪ねる and 訪れる, but I don't understand when 訪問する is
used.




In short, I see the difference between the three as:

  * [訪]{たず}ねる: to visit/call on, with the nuance of demonstrating a purpose behind the visit, perhaps going out of your way to do so (e.g. 友人を訪ねる。/ 世界遺産を訪ねる。) Used for places or people.

  * [訪]{おとず}れる: to visit/arrive, but with the nuance that there's no purpose/intention behind the visit. It rather objectively describes the fact/state/situation that the visit/arrival is occurring. It is used as a transitive verb (e.g. 友人の新居を訪れる), in which case I believe it is only used towards inanimate things, not people. Comparing to the examples above, 友人を訪れる would therefore not be used, but 世界遺産を訪れる would be fine. It is also used as an intransitive verb for situations or the seasons/time (e.g. チャンスが訪れる。/ 夏が訪れる。).

  * [訪問]{ほうもん}する: the same in meaning to 訪ねる, but as it is a kanji compound, it sounds more formal/erudite than the 訪ねる. Perhaps therefore used at work, say, rather than in more casual conversation with friends.

Not a native speaker so happy to take corrections on this!

