Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Go" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "go", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
でかける
でかける (dekakeru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
いってらっしゃい
いってらっしゃい (itterasshai)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "go" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between でかける and いってらっしゃい.
In Japanese, でかける (でかける (dekakeru)) is typically associated with "to go out; to leave" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used when leaving home or a place to go somewhere else..
On the other hand, いってらっしゃい (いってらっしゃい (itterasshai)) maps to "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. A literal translation of "go" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "でかける"
今から出かけます。
I'm going out now.
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."
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "今から出かけます。" (Meaning: "I'm going out now.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "でかける" fits here because it means "to go out; to leave" in the context of: "I'm going out now.". "いってらっしゃい" represents "Go and come back safely; See you later (response to 'ittekimasu')".