Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Go" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "go", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
出かけます
でかけます (dekakemasu)
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 出かけます and いってらっしゃい.
In Japanese, 出かけます (でかけます (dekakemasu)) is typically associated with "to go out, to leave" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Intransitive verb. Used for leaving a place.
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 "出かけます"
友達と買い物に出かけます。
I go out shopping with my friend.
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: "友達と買い物に ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I go out shopping with my friend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "出かけます" fits here because it means "to go out, to leave" in the context of: "I go out shopping with my friend.". "いってらっしゃい" represents "Go and come back safely; See you later (response to 'ittekimasu')".