行く

• Reading: いく
• Romaji: iku
• Kanji breakdown: 行 (kou/i) — to go, to travel
• Pronunciation: /i.kɯ/

Meaning

To go; to move towards; to head towards; to leave for a destination.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb with an irregular te-form: 行って (not 行いて). One of the most frequently used verbs in Japanese. Typically paired with the particle に or へ to indicate destination. The auxiliary form ていく expresses motion away from the speaker or a continuing action into the future.

Examples

1. 明日学校に行きます。 I'm going to school tomorrow.
2. 友達と映画を見に行った。 I went to see a movie with a friend.
3. どこに行きたいですか。 Where do you want to go?

Usage Guide

Context: travel, daily life, directions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 行 originally depicted a crossroads, representing the concept of walking or going along a path.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal