What does it mean word for word?
Literally, 行ってきます means "I will go and [then] come back", combining the verb for "to go" and the verb "to come".
Which one should you use?
While 行ってきます is the standard polite form, you may use the informal 行ってくる with close friends or family. You can also use 行ってくるね to sound more conversational, which adds a sense of seeking agreement or confirming understanding.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
行ってきます is the polite version suitable for speaking to family members or colleagues in a standard setting. For a more casual tone among friends or family, use 行ってくる. If you need a humble or polite way to say "I will go" in other contexts, you can use 参ります.
How do you pronounce it?
ittekimasu
When do people say it?
When someone says 行ってきます, the standard response from the person staying behind is 行ってらっしゃい.
Did you know?
- Even adults who live alone often say 行ってきます to their empty house or a pet as a psychological way of marking the transition from private to public space.
- In Japanese anime and drama, a character forgetting to say 行ってきます or failing to hear 行ってらっしゃい is often used as a plot device to foreshadow a tragedy or a long absence.
- The response 行ってらっしゃい is often phrased as a gentle command or wish, meaning 'please go and come back', emphasizing the care of the person staying behind.
Examples in context
- 仕事に行ってきます。I am going to work.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 行ってきます when mentioning a destination like work.Tatoeba #11746305 by small_snow, translation #4185119 by User66640
- 今、ちょっと外出してまいります。I am going out for a moment.
- 今日は友達とお買い物に出かけます。Today, I am going shopping with my friend.
- バイクで少し出かけてくる。I'm going out on my motorcycle for a bit, and I'll be back.
- ご飯を買いに行ってくるね。I'm going to buy some food, alright?
- 行ってきます！Ittekimasu!I'm off!
- 学校に行ってきます。Gakkou ni ittekimasu.I am going to school.
Example conversation
A brother and sister are preparing to leave their house in the morning.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵、準備はできた？Himari, junbi wa dekita?Himari, are you ready?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、行ってきます！Un, ittekimasu!Yeah, I'm off!
- 陽太 Yota気をつけてね。Ki wo tsukete ne.Take care.
- 陽葵 Himari行ってきます、陽太！Ittekimasu, Hinata!I'm off, Hinata!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 行ってきます, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
