Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "To go" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "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 "to 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 "to 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".