How to Say “To Go Out” in Japanese

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出かける
dekakeru
The Japanese phrase for "to go out" is 出かける (dekakeru).
出かける is a neutral term for any activity that involves leaving the house, such as running errands or going for a walk. Unlike the English "to go out" which can sometimes imply dating or going to a bar, 出かける is a neutral term.

Which one should you use?

While 出かける (dekakeru) is the standard way to say "to go out" in daily conversation, 外出する (gaishutsu suru) is a more formal, noun-based expression often used in business or official contexts (e.g., 'I am out of the office').

How do you pronounce it?

dekakeru

Did you know?

  • In many Japanese households, instead of saying 'I am going out', people often say 行ってきます (itte kimasu), which literally means 'I will go and come back'.
  • In Japanese, if you say you are 出かける (dekakeru) to a host, it can imply you are leaving the conversation or the social gathering entirely, rather than just stepping out of a room for a moment.
  • Japanese has a specific word, お出かけ (odekake), which turns the verb into a noun. It is often used to describe a 'special outing' or the act of dressing up specifically to go out.

Examples in context

  • 今出かけるのは無理だ。
    It's impossible to go out now.
    Tatoeba #172345 by bunbuku, translation #242130 by CK
  • 出かける準備はできた？
    Are you ready to go out?
    Tatoeba #4225721 by bunbuku, translation #266758 by CK
  • 今は出かける気分じゃないんだよ。
    I'm not in the mood to go out right now.
    Tatoeba #1166933 by bunbuku, translation #7870825 by CK
  • 仕事に出かけます。
    I'm going out for work.
  • 会議のため外出します。
    I will go out for a meeting.
  • 新聞を買いに外に出ます。
    I'm going out to buy a newspaper.
  • 友達と出かけるよ。
    I'm going out with friends.
  • 遊びにでかけるよ。
    I'm going out to have fun.
  • 映画に行く
    To go to the movies
  • 食料品店に買い物に行くよ。
    I'm going to the grocery store to do some shopping.
  • 11 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

A couple is deciding what to do for the day.

  1. 大翔 Hiroto

    今日はどこかに出かける？
    Kyō wa dokoka ni dekakeru?
    Are we going out somewhere today?
  2. 陽葵 Himari

    うん、買い物に行きたいな。
    Un, kaimono ni ikitai na.
    Yes, I want to go shopping.
  3. 大翔 Hiroto

    じゃあ、すぐに準備して出かけよう。
    Jā, sugu ni junbi shite dekakeyō.
    Then, let's get ready and go out right away.
  4. 陽葵 Himari

    わかった。すぐ準備するね。
    Wakatta. Sugu junbi suru ne.
    Okay. I'll get ready soon.

Sources

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Craig Brent
Craig BrentHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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Sabelle G.
Sabelle G.
September 15, 2024 05:32

This is the most thorough explanation I have ever encounter. Thank you so much！

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