How to Say "I Am Going To" in Japanese

行くところです

iku tokoro desu

In Japanese, "I am going to" is said as 行くところです (iku tokoro desu).

A phrase used to say that someone is about to leave for a destination.

Which one should you use?

While 行くところです emphasizes the immediate moment of departure, 行こうとしている emphasizes the intention or the physical attempt to start the movement.

iku tokoro desu

While the phrase literally means 'the place of going', it is used to indicate time rather than a physical location. In this context, ところ refers to the 'moment' or 'point in time' when an action occurs.
Using 行くところです can sometimes be used as a polite excuse to avoid a conversation. By stating you are just about to leave, you socially signal that you do not have time to stop and talk.
If you want to say 'I am going to' in a very polite, formal setting, such as a business announcement, you would often switch the verb to the humble form 参る (mairu).

角の劇場に行くところです。
I am going to the theater on the corner.
This sentence is useful for practicing how to say you are going to a specific destination with 行くところです.
Tatoeba #1171013 by bunbuku, translation #256642 by CK
東京へ行きます。
I am going to Tokyo.
明日、勉強する予定です。
I am planning to study tomorrow.
映画館に行くよ。
I am going to the cinema.
明日、買い物するつもりだ。
I intend to go shopping tomorrow.
今、駅に行くところです。
Ima, eki ni iku tokoro desu.
I am going to the station right now.

Hiyori is leaving the house when Yota speaks to her.

陽太 Yota

陽葵、どこへ行くの？
Hiyori, doko e iku no?
Hiyori, where are you going?
陽葵 Himari

図書館に行くところです。
Toshokan ni iku tokoro desu.
I am just about to go to the library.
陽太 Yota

僕も一緒に行こうか。
Boku mo issho ni ikō ka.
Shall I go with you?
陽葵 Himari

ぜひお願いします。
Zehi onegaishimasu.
Yes, please.

Sources

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