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
まいる
まいる (mairu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "go" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 出かけます and まいる.
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, 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 "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 "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: "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.". "まいる" represents "to go, to come (humble form of いく/くる)".