Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Go" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "go", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
行きます
いきます (ikimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
いく
いく (iku)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "go" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 行きます and いく.
In Japanese, 行きます (いきます (ikimasu)) is typically associated with "to go (polite form)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 行く.
On the other hand, いく (いく (iku)) maps to "to go" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used for movement away from the speaker's current location. The 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 "行きます"
学校へ行きます。
I go to school.
Bilingual Context for "いく"
学校へ行きます。
I go to school.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "学校へ ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I go to school.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "行きます" fits here because it means "to go (polite form)" in the context of: "I go to school.". "いく" represents "to go".