行く
iku[ikɯ̟]
In Japanese, "going to" is expressed as 行く (iku).
The phrase is used to describe the act of moving from one place to another.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite version, you should use 行きます. In casual conversation, adding the particle よ to the end of the phrase to create 行くよ makes the statement sound more assertive or informative.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense is 行った (went), and the negative form is 行かない (not go / won't go). To say "let's go", use the volitional form 行こう. If you want to express a desire, add 〜たい to the stem of the verb to create 行きたい (want to go). The form 行っている can be used to describe a continuous action or a state resulting from a completed movement, such as "is going" or "has gone (and is currently there)".
How do you pronounce it?
iku
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word for 'go' 行く can be used as a euphemism for reaching an orgasm during sex.
- When someone says 行ってきます ('I'm going'), the person staying must reply with 行ってらっしゃい, which literally means 'please go and come back'.
- Depending on the region, descendants of the original word for 'go' sound very different, such as ichun in Okinawan or iksï in Miyako.
Examples in context
- どこ行くの？Where are you going to?This sentence uses 行く to ask about a destination.Tatoeba #3595435 by tommy_san, translation #371443 by saeb
- 投票に行く？Are you going to vote?This sentence uses 行く to ask about an intention to vote.Tatoeba #8764339 by bunbuku, translation #8311553 by CK
- すぐ行くよ。I'm going to go right away.This sentence uses 行く to express an immediate intention to move.Tatoeba #11331923 by small_snow, translation #2662402 by sharptoothed
- Watashi wa Tōkyō e ikimasu. (私は東京へ行きます。)I am going to Tokyo.
- Kare wa Kyōto ni ikimasu. (彼は京都に行きます。)He is going to Kyoto.
- Kanojo wa Kaigai ni ikimasu. (彼女は海外に行きます。)She is going overseas.
- Watashi wa Tōkyō ni iku yo. (私は東京に行くよ。)I'm gonna go to Tokyo.
- Kare wa Kyōto ni iku ne. (彼は京都に行くね。)He's gonna go to Kyoto.
- Kanojo wa Kaigai ni iku yo. (彼女は海外に行くよ。)She's gonna go overseas.
- 281 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking about their plans for the afternoon.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんはどこに行くの？Kenta-san wa doko ni iku no?Where are you going, Kenta?
- 健太 Kentaコンビニへ行くよ。Konbini e iku yo.I'm going to the convenience store.
- 陽葵 Himari何か買うの？Nanika kau no?Are you buying something?
- 健太 Kenta飲み物を買いに行くんだ。Nomimono o kai ni iku n da.I'm going to buy a drink.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 行く, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 行く, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
