Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Go" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "go", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
迎えに行く
むかえにいく (mukae ni iku)
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 迎えに行く and 〜ていく.
In Japanese, 迎えに行く (むかえにいく (mukae ni iku)) is typically associated with "to go to pick up (someone/something)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used when you go to a place to meet and bring back a person.
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 "迎えに行く"
私は駅まで友達を迎えに行きました。
I went to the station to pick up my friend.
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: "私は駅まで友達を迎えに行きました。" (Meaning: "I went to the station to pick up my friend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "迎えに行く" fits here because it means "to go to pick up (someone/something)" in the context of: "I went to the station to pick up my friend.". "〜ていく" represents "to go on doing; to continue to; to become (from now on)".