Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Go" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "go", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
いってらっしゃい
いってらっしゃい (itterasshai)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
出かける
でかける (dekakeru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "go" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between いってらっしゃい and 出かける.
In Japanese, いってらっしゃい (いってらっしゃい (itterasshai)) is typically associated with "Go and come back safely; See you later (response to 'ittekimasu')" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Said by those remaining behind to someone who is leaving.
On the other hand, 出かける (でかける (dekakeru)) maps to "to go out; to leave home" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents An intransitive verb meaning to leave one's home or current location to go somewhere else, often for leisure or errands. Commonly used in daily conversation. Polite form is 出かけます. A literal translation of "go" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "いってらっしゃい"
父が「いってきます」と言うと、母は「いってらっしゃい」と答えます。
When my father says "Ittekimasu," my mother replies "Itterasshai."
Bilingual Context for "出かける"
週末に友達と買い物に出かけます。
I go out shopping with friends on the weekend.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "父が「いってきます」と言うと、母は「 ＿＿＿ 」と答えます。" (Meaning: "When my father says "Ittekimasu," my mother replies "Itterasshai."")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "いってらっしゃい" fits here because it means "Go and come back safely; See you later (response to 'ittekimasu')" in the context of: "When my father says "Ittekimasu," my mother replies "Itterasshai."". "出かける" represents "to go out; to leave home".