行きます
ikimasu
In Japanese, the phrase to say "I go" is 行きます (ikimasu).
This phrase is used to state that the speaker is moving from one place to another. When you want to specify a destination, you typically precede the verb with the particles へ or に to indicate direction or destination. While you might see versions like boku wa ikimasu used by men or atashi wa ikimasu used by women, the subject is often omitted if it is clear from the context who is performing the action.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the past tense "I went" in a polite manner, use 行きました. To express the negative "I do not go" in a polite manner, use 行きません.
How do you pronounce it?
ikimasu
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often include "I" (watashi wa) in every sentence, but in Japanese, the subject is usually omitted if it is clear from the context.
Did you know?
- The phrase 行きます is often used to say 'I am coming' when the speaker is moving toward the person they are talking to, unlike English where 'come' and 'go' are distinguished by direction.
- The phrase 行ってきます is used when leaving home, and it literally means 'I go and come back', signaling that the departure is temporary.
- When leaving a workplace, employees often say お先に失礼します instead of just 'I go', which literally translates to 'I am being rude by leaving before you'.
Examples in context
- 毎年行きます。I go every year.This sentence is useful for expressing a recurring action.Tatoeba #81243 by bunbuku, translation #322472 by CK
- 毎日、学校へ行きます。I go to school every day.This sentence is useful for expressing a daily routine.Tatoeba #10961076 by small_snow, translation #1233508 by Eldad
- バスで学校に行きます。I go to school by bus.This sentence is useful for expressing the method of travel.Tatoeba #10961077 by bunbuku, translation #321680 by CK
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking about their plans for the weekend.
- 健太 Kenta週末、どこへ行きますか？Shūmatsu, doko e ikimasu ka?Where are you going this weekend?
- 美咲 Misaki私は海へ行きます。Watashi wa umi e ikimasu.I am going to the sea.
- 健太 Kentaいいですね。私も行きます。Ii desu ne. Watashi mo ikimasu.That sounds nice. I will go too.
- 美咲 Misaki一緒に海へ行きましょう！Issho ni umi e ikimashō!Let's go to the sea together!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
