This article will give you all of the info you need on the Japanese word iku, including its Japanese definition and translation, usage, example sentences, and more!
Contents
What does iku mean?
The Japanese word iku (行く、いく) is a verb that means to go. The polite form you would use at work or with strangers is ikimasu (行きます). Iku is a really important word to master if you want to speak Japanese so hopefully this article will help you!
Some of you have probably heard this word in certain contexts, so let me just briefly explain that iku can sometimes mean to orgasm or to come (related: kimochi).
Below, we take a look at some examples of the various ways you can use iku in Japanese.
To make it easier for you, I have written each sentence in full Japanese kanji on the first line, followed by roman letters (romaji), and hiragana, with the English meaning coming last. I have also highlighted the new word in bold.
Example sentences using iku
明日に友達の家に行く。
Ashita ni tomodachi no ie ni iku.
あしたにともだちのいえにく。
I will go to my friend’s house tomorrow.
私は公園に行く。
Watashi wa kouen ni iku.
わたしはこうえんにいく。
I go to the park.
何してるの？
Nani shiteru no?
なにしてるの？
What are you doing?
—
今から学校に行くよ。
Ima kara gakkou ni iku yo.
いまからがっこうにいくよ。
I’m going to school now.
もう行くよ。早くして。
Mou iku yo. Hayaku shite.
もういくよ。はやくして。
We’re going now. Hurry up.
今日は病院に行きます。
Kyou wa byouin ni ikimasu.
きょうはびょういんにいきます。
I am going to the hospital today.
Ikanai = not go
The negative form of iku is ikanai (行かない、いかない), which means not go or I don’t go. The polite form is ikimasen (行きません、いきません).
雨だったら行かないかも。
Ame dattara ikanai kamo.
あめだったらいかないかも。
I might not go if it rains (casual*).
*Kamo is the shortened version of kamoshirenai (= might or maybe).
今日は会社に行かない。
Kyou wa kaisha ni ikanai.
きょうはかいしゃにいかない。
I’m not going to work today (lit: company)
ごめんなさい。飲み会は行きません。
Gomen na sai. Nomikai wa ikimasen.
ごめんなさい。のみかいはいきません。
Sorry. I won’t be going to the drinking party.
Iku or kuru?
Like in English, iku generally means going to somewhere different from where you are now. The verb kuru (来る、くる), on the other hand, means to come. You normally use this when someone is coming to where you are (or will be).
Therefore, you would use iku when going to a friend’s house but kuru if they are coming to you. This is not a precise rule. There are always exceptions when it comes to language, but this is a good yardstick for deciding whether to use iku or kuru.
パーティーに来るなら教えて。
Paateii ni kuru nara oshiete.
ぱーてぃーにくるならおしえて。
Let me know if you’re coming to the party.
明日、何時に来るの？
Ashita, nanji ni kuru no?
あした、なんじにくるの？
What time will you come tomorrow?
Rohan's favorite resource for learning Japanese is JapanesePod101, one of the best tools for getting started with the language. Sign up for a free lifetime account here.
- Discover the Best Things to Do near to Tokyo station: A Guide to Tokyo’s bustling center - January 15, 2023
- Maximize your JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) Miles: A Complete Guide on Earning, Redeeming, and Hacks - January 15, 2023
- Discover the Best Things to Do in Harajuku: A Guide to Tokyo’s Trendiest Neighborhood - January 15, 2023
