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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

まいる

まいる (mairu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "go" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between でかける and まいる. 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, まいる (まいる (mairu)) maps to "to go, to come (humble form of いく/くる)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 「行く」や「来る」の謙譲語で、自分の行動をへりくだって表現する際に使います。目上の人に対して話す時に用いる丁寧な表現です。Humble form of 'iku' and 'kuru', used to express one's own actions humbly. It's a polite expression used when speaking to superiors.. 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 "まいる"
明日、先生の研究室へ参ります。
I will go to the teacher's office tomorrow.

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.". "まいる" represents "to go, to come (humble form of いく/くる)".

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