Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "I'm" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "i'm", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
いってきます
いってきます (ittekimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
あしからず
あしからず (ashikarazu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "i'm" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between いってきます and あしからず.
In Japanese, いってきます (いってきます (ittekimasu)) is typically associated with "I'm leaving (and will be back)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Said when leaving home or office, typically to people remaining behind, implying a return. It literally means 'I'm going and coming back'..
On the other hand, あしからず (あしからず (ashikarazu)) maps to "I'm sorry (but I can't do that), please don't take offense, please excuse me" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents A polite and somewhat formal way to decline a request or deliver bad news, asking for understanding. Often used with a negative implication. A literal translation of "i'm" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "いってきます"
家を出る時に「いってきます」と言います。
I say "Ittekimasu" when I leave home.
Bilingual Context for "あしからず"
本日は満席ですので、あしからずご了承ください。
We are fully booked today, so please excuse us.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "家を出る時に「 ＿＿＿ 」と言います。" (Meaning: "I say "Ittekimasu" when I leave home.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "いってきます" fits here because it means "I'm leaving (and will be back)" in the context of: "I say "Ittekimasu" when I leave home.". "あしからず" represents "I'm sorry (but I can't do that), please don't take offense, please excuse me".