日本に行きます
nihon ni ikimasu
The English phrase "I am going to japan" is expressed in Japanese as 日本に行きます (nihon ni ikimasu).
This phrase is used to state your intention or plan to travel to Japan.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 日本 (Japan), the particle に (to/towards) and 行きます (to go).
Which one should you use?
You can replace the particle に with へ (e) to change the nuance slightly from a destination-focused "to" to a direction-focused "towards", though both are common for expressing travel plans.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To speak more casually with friends or family, you can use the dictionary form 日本に行く.
How does it change in a sentence?
Replacing the particle に with へ changes the focus toward the direction of travel. Additionally, using the ~ている form, such as 日本に行っています, can be used to express that you are currently in the state of having gone to Japan or are currently there.
How do you pronounce it?
nihon ni ikimasu
Did you know?
- In highly formal business contexts, instead of 行きます, a speaker might use the humble verb 伺います (ukagaimasu) to show deep respect to the person they are visiting in Japan.
- When talking about 'going to Japan' in a historical or poetic sense, the word 日本 can be replaced with 扶桑 (Fusō), an ancient name for the land based on a mythical cinnamon tree.
- While 日本に行きます describes the act of going, a person already in Japan might use 日本に来ました to say 'I have come to Japan', as Japanese verbs strictly distinguish between moving toward or away from the speaker's current location.
Examples in context
- 今度の夏休みに私は日本に行きます。I'm going to Japan this summer vacation.
- 来週、私は日本へ行くつもりです。Next week, I intend to go to Japan.
- 冬休みに、日本へ旅行に行きます。I'm going on a trip to Japan during winter break.
- 今度の休みに、日本に行くよ！I'm going to Japan in the next break!
- なんとか日本に行くつもりだ。I'm planning to go to Japan somehow.
- 夏休みに日本に行きます。Natsuyasumi ni Nihon ni ikimasu.I am going to Japan during summer vacation.
- 仕事で日本に行きます。Shigoto de Nihon ni ikimasu.I am going to Japan for work.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their upcoming vacation plans.
- 陽葵 Himari来月、日本に行きます。Raigetsu, Nihon ni ikimasu.I am going to Japan next month.
- 陽太 Yotaいいですね！どこに行きますか？Ii desu ne! Doko ni ikimasu ka?That's great! Where are you going?
- 陽葵 Himari東京と京都に行きます。Tōkyō to Kyōto ni ikimasu.I'm going to Tokyo and Kyoto.
- 陽太 Yota楽しみですね、陽葵さん。Tanoshimi desu ne, Himari-san.That sounds exciting, Himari.
