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
行く
いく (iku)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "go" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 出かけます and 行く.
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, 行く (いく (iku)) maps to "to go" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used for movement to a destination. Polite form is 行きます. 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 "行く"
学校に行きます。
I go to school.
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.". "行く" represents "to go".