Iku is the Japanese verb for ‘to go’, explained

What does “iku” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers say “iku” normally to mean ‘to go’ in Japanese. Probably, many Japanese learners know this verb as it is quite often used in Japanese textbooks. In this blog post, however, I will explain this verb and its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners to use “iku” properly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meaning of “iku”
  • Example #1: how to say “go” in Japanese
• Ikanai: the nai form of “iku”
  • Example #2: how to say “don’t go” in Japanese
• Ikou: the volitional form of “iku”
  • Example #3: how to say “let’s go” in Japanese
• Ikimasu: the masu form of “iku”
  • Example #4: how to say “go” politely in Japanese
• Itta: the ta form of “iku”
  • Example #5: how to say “went” in Japanese
• Itte: the te form of “iku”
  • Example #6: how to say “go and” in Japanese
• Ikeba: the ba form of “iku”
  • Example #7: how to say “if go” in Japanese
• Summary

Definition and meaning of “iku”

Let me start with the definition and meaning of “iku”.

• iku – 行く (いく) : a verb meaning ‘to go’ in Japanese.

The definition and meaning are simple and clear. Then, let me explain how to use this verb through the example sentence below.

Example #1: how to say “go” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “boku” to make the subject in the sentence.
• tokidoki – 時々 (ときどき) : an adverb of frequency meaning ‘sometimes’ in Japanese.
• tokyo – 東京 (とうきょう) : a noun meaning ‘Tokyo’ in Japanese.
• ni – に : a case particle used to say where someone or somethings goes. In the example, this is used after “tokyo” to say where the speaker sometimes goes.

This is a typical usage of “iku”. It often works together with the case particle, “ni”, to have the object – the destination – like in this example. It’s worth knowing, I think. When we want to mean ‘to go’ in Japanese, anyway, this verb is a very good option.

In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain major conjugations of “iku”. The first one is “ikanai”.

Ikanai: the nai form of “iku”

Below are the definition and meaning of “ikanai”.

• ikanai – 行かない (いかない) : the nai form of “iku”, which means ‘not to go’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “ikanai” consists of the following two parts:

• ika – 行か (いか) : one conjugation of “iku”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
• nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is very similar to that of “not”.

From these two parts, we can understand that “ikanai” is literally the nai form of “iku” and means ‘not to go’ in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this nai form through the example sentence below.

Example #2: how to say “don’t go” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
• tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “watashi” to make its plural form, “watashi tachi”, which means ‘we’ in Japanese. Learn more about Japanese plural.
• nihon – 日本 (にほん) : a noun meaning ‘Japan’ in Japanese.
• e – へ : a case particle used to say where someone or something goes. In the example, this is used after “nihon” to say where the speakers don’t go. This case particle is not as common as the similar one, “ni”.

This is a typical usage of “ikanai”. When we want to mean ‘not to go’ in Japanese, this nai form is a very good option.

Ikou: the volitional form of “iku”

Below are the definition and meaning of “ikou”.

• ikou – 行こう (いこう) : the volitional form of “iku”, which expresses volition to go.

Grammatically, “ikou” consists of the following two parts:

• iko – 行こ (いこ) : one conjugation of “iku”. This can have a smooth connection with “u”.
• u – う : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make its volitional form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “ikou” is literally the volitional form of “iku” and expresses volition to go. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #3: how to say “let’s go” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• rainen – 来年 (らいねん) : a noun meaning ‘next year’ in Japanese. This can also work as an adverb almost anywhere in a sentence. In the example, this works as an adverb to say “next year” in Japanese.
• kyoto – 京都 (きょうと) : a noun meaning ‘Kyoto’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “ikou”. In this example, it works to make the suggestion. When we want to say “let’s go” in Japanese, this volitional form is a good option.

Ikimasu: the masu form of “iku”

Below are the definition and meaning of “ikimasu”.

• ikimasu – 行きます (いきます) : the masu form of “iku”, which means ‘to go’ politely in Japanese.

Grammatically, “ikimasu” consists of the following two parts:

• iki – 行き (いき) : one conjugation of “iku”. This can have a smooth connection with “masu”.
• masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “ikimasu” is literally the masu form of “iku” and means ‘to go’ politely in Japanese. Let me explain how to use it through the example sentence below.

Example #4: how to say “go” politely in Japanese

Below is the new word used in the example sentence.

• tamani – たまに : an adverb of frequency meaning ‘occasionally’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “ikimasu”. Its politeness has not been reflected in the English sentence, but the Japanese sentence sounds polite thanks to the masu form. When we want to say “go” politely in Japanese, this form is a good option.

Itta: the ta form of “iku”

Below are the definition and meaning of “itta”.

• itta – 行った (いった) : the ta form of “iku”, which means ‘went’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “itta” consists of the following two parts:

• it – 行っ (いっ) : one conjugation of “iku”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
• ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese ta form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “itta” is literally the ta form of “iku” and means ‘went’ in Japanese. Let me explain its usage through the example sentence below.

Example #5: how to say “went” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kare – 彼 (かれ) : a pronoun meaning ‘he’ in Japanese.
• senshuu – 先週 (せんしゅう) : a noun meaning ‘last week’ in Japanese. This can also work as an adverb almost anywhere in a sentence. In the example, this works as an adverb to say “last week”.

This is a typical usage of “itta”. When we want to say “went” in Japanese, this ta form is a very good option.

Itte: the te form of “iku”

Below are the definition and meaning of “itte”.

• itte – 行って (いって) : the te form of “itte”, which means ‘to go’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “itte” consists of the following two parts:

• it – 行っ (いっ) : one conjugation of “iku”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
• te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “itte” is literally the te form of “iku”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make smooth connections of words. So, “itte” is very useful when we want to use “iku” before another verb, an adjective, or auxiliary verb with a smooth connection. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.

Example #6: how to say “go and” in Japanese

Below is the new word used in the example sentence.

• hataraku – 働く (はたらく) : a verb meaning ‘to go’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “itte”. In this example, it has the smooth connection with “hataraku”. When we want to use “iku” before another verb with a smooth connection, its te form is very useful.

Ikeba: the ba form of “iku”

Below are the definition and meaning of “ikeba”.

• ikeba – 行けば (いけば) : the ba form of “iku”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to go’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “ikeba” consists of the following two parts:

• ike – 行け (いけ) : one conjugation of “iku”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
• ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “ikeba” is literally the ba form of “iku”. In Japanese, ba-formed words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “ikeba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to go’. Let me explain its usage through the example sentence below.

Example #7: how to say “if go” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• osaka – 大阪 (おおさか) : a noun meaning ‘Osaka’ in Japanese.
• mo – も : a binding particle making the subject word or the object word in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘also’, ‘as well’, or ‘too’. In the example, this works after “osaka” to make the object word with adding the meaning of ‘also’.
• ikeru – 行ける (いける) : a verb meaning ‘can go’ or ‘able to go’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “ikeba”. In this example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “kyoto ni ikeba”, which means ‘if you go to Kyoto’. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to go’, this ba form is a good option.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained “iku” and its major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• iku – 行く (いく) : a verb meaning ‘to go’ in Japanese.
• ikanai – 行かない (いかない) : the nai form of “iku”, which means ‘not to go’ in Japanese.
• ikou – 行こう (いこう) : the volitional form of “iku”, which expresses volition to go.
• ikimasu – 行きます (いきます) : the masu form of “iku”, which means ‘to go’ politely in Japanese.
• itta – 行った (いった) : the ta form of “iku”, which means ‘went’ in Japanese.
• itte – 行って (いって) : the te form of “itte”, which means ‘to go’ in Japanese.
• ikeba – 行けば (いけば) : the ba form of “iku”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to go’ in Japanese.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.