Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Go" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "go", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
出かける
でかける (dekakeru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
〜ていく
〜ていく (te iku)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "go" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 出かける and 〜ていく.
In Japanese, 出かける (でかける (dekakeru)) is typically associated with "to go out; to leave home" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents An intransitive verb meaning to leave one's home or current location to go somewhere else, often for leisure or errands. Commonly used in daily conversation. Polite form is 出かけます.
On the other hand, 〜ていく (〜ていく (te iku)) maps to "to go on doing; to continue to; to become (from now on)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Indicates a change or action that moves from the present into the future, or an action moving away from the speaker. It suggests progression, continuity, or future development.. A literal translation of "go" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "出かける"
週末に友達と買い物に出かけます。
I go out shopping with friends on the weekend.
Bilingual Context for "〜ていく"
これからも日本語の勉強を続けていきたいです。
I want to continue studying Japanese from now on.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "週末に友達と買い物に出かけます。" (Meaning: "I go out shopping with friends on the weekend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "出かける" fits here because it means "to go out; to leave home" in the context of: "I go out shopping with friends on the weekend.". "〜ていく" represents "to go on doing; to continue to; to become (from now on)".