行ってきます

The Japanese phrase 行ってきます (Ittekimasu) is a cornerstone of daily Japanese social interaction, serving as a ritualistic announcement when one departs from a place they intend to return to. At its most literal level, the expression is a combination of two verbs: iku (to go) and kuru (to come), linked by the te-form. Thus, the underlying meaning is not simply 'I am leaving,' but rather 'I am going and I will come back.' This distinction is vital in Japanese culture, where the emphasis is often placed on the continuity of relationships and the preservation of the 'uchi' (inside/home) environment. When you say this phrase, you are essentially reassuring those staying behind that your departure is temporary and that you recognize your obligation and desire to return to the safety and social circle of the home or office. It is most commonly used when leaving one's house in the morning for school or work, or when leaving the office to go to a meeting or run an errand. The phrase functions as a linguistic bridge between the private sphere and the public sphere.

Literal Translation

I go and come.

Social Function

A ritualistic greeting used to signal departure with the intent of returning, maintaining harmony within the group.

Grammatical Structure

Compound verb consisting of 行く (iku - to go) in te-form (行って) plus 来ます (kimasu - to come, polite form).

In a psychological sense, saying 行ってきます provides a sense of closure to the current interaction while simultaneously opening a future interaction. It is a verbal contract. In Japanese society, where 'aisatsu' (greetings) are fundamental to being considered a functioning member of the community, skipping this phrase can be seen as cold, abrupt, or even worrying to family members. If a child leaves the house without saying it, a parent might feel a sense of unease, as if the ritual of safe passage has been bypassed. The phrase is almost always met with the reciprocal response いってらっしゃい (Itterasshai), which means 'Please go and come back safely.'

The phrase is also deeply rooted in the concept of 'Uchi-Soto' (Inside vs. Outside). The home is the ultimate 'Uchi.' When you cross the threshold (genkan), you are entering the 'Soto' (Outside world), which is traditionally viewed as a place of work, effort, and potential danger. By stating your intention to return, you are mentally tethering yourself to the safety of the 'Uchi.' This is why the phrase is not used when you are leaving a place for the final time, such as checking out of a hotel (unless you are returning later that day) or moving out of an apartment. In those cases, 'Sayonara' or 'O-sewa ni narimashita' would be more appropriate. Understanding the weight of this phrase helps a learner move beyond simple translation and into the realm of cultural fluency.

Historically, the phrase reflects a time when travel was more hazardous. To 'go and come back' was a meaningful promise. While modern life is safer, the linguistic habit remains as a way to acknowledge those who stay behind. It shows that you value their presence and that your departure is not a rejection of the group but a temporary necessity. In a business context, it is used when leaving the office to visit a client. Using the humble version, 行って参ります (Itte mairimasu), demonstrates high professional etiquette and respect for your superiors and colleagues.

Finally, the emotional resonance of the phrase cannot be overstated. In Japanese media, such as anime or drama, a character saying 行ってきます is often a poignant moment, signifying a return to normalcy or a promise of safety. Conversely, a character leaving without saying it often foreshadows trouble or a permanent departure. For an English speaker, while we might say 'I'm off' or 'See you later,' these lack the specific 'going and coming' structural promise inherent in the Japanese phrase. By mastering this, you aren't just learning a word; you are learning how to participate in the rhythmic harmony of Japanese daily life.

Using 行ってきます correctly involves understanding both the physical movement and the social hierarchy of the situation. Because it is a set phrase, it usually stands alone as an exclamation, but it can also be preceded by a destination or a purpose. The most common way to use it is as you are literally stepping out the door. It is the final thing you say before the door closes. In a family setting, it is often shouted from the genkan (entranceway) so that everyone in the house can hear it. This ensures that the household is aware of who is present and who is not, which is practical for safety and meal planning.

Standard Usage

Used as a standalone greeting when leaving home or office. Example: 'Ittekimasu!'

Destination-Specific

Adding the destination with 'ni' or 'e'. Example: 'Gakkou ni ittekimasu' (I'm off to school).

Purpose-Specific

Using the stem of a verb + 'ni'. Example: 'Kaimono ni ittekimasu' (I'm going shopping).

For learners, it is important to note the levels of formality. 行ってきます is the standard polite form (desu/masu). It is appropriate for use with family, roommates, and colleagues of equal or lower status. If you are a child talking to your parents, you might shorten it to 行ってくるね (Itte kuru ne) or simply 行ってくる (Itte kuru) in very casual settings. However, in a professional environment, when speaking to a boss or a client, you must elevate the politeness. The humble form 行って参ります (Itte mairimasu) is used to show that you are lowering your own status in relation to the person staying behind. This is a key part of 'Keigo' (honorific speech).

Another nuance is the timing. You should say it while you are in the process of leaving. If you say it while sitting on the couch, it sounds like an intention rather than a greeting. The 'action' of leaving and the 'speech' of the phrase are tightly linked. Furthermore, it is rarely used in isolation from its counterpart. If you say 'Ittekimasu' and no one is home, you might still say it out of habit (a common phenomenon in Japan), but the ritual is only complete when someone responds with 'Itterasshai.' If you are the one staying home, you must be ready to provide that response immediately. This call-and-response is the heartbeat of the Japanese home.

In sentences where you want to emphasize the duration of your absence, you can add time markers. For example, 「夕方までに行ってきます」 (Yuugata made ni ittekimasu) - 'I'll be back by evening.' Note how the phrase still ends with 'ittekimasu' to maintain the greeting format. You can also combine it with 'chotto' (a little bit) to indicate a short trip: 「ちょっと行ってきます」. This is very common when a worker leaves their desk to go to the restroom or a nearby vending machine. It signals to their coworkers that they haven't left for the day and will be back shortly to continue their work.

One final point on usage: 行ってきます is not used when you are leaving a social gathering like a party or a dinner at a friend's house, unless you are literally coming back to that party (e.g., to grab something from your car). If you are leaving the party for the night, you would use 「お先に失礼します」 (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu) or 「じゃあ、またね」 (Jaa, mata ne). This is because the 'home' or 'base' of the interaction is ending for you. You only use 'Ittekimasu' when the place you are leaving remains your 'base' for the day or for the duration of your current social role.

If you live in Japan, 行ってきます is likely one of the first things you will hear every single morning. It is the soundtrack of the morning rush. In residential neighborhoods, as the clock strikes 7:30 or 8:00 AM, the air is filled with the sound of sliding doors opening and the cheerful (or sometimes sleepy) cry of 'Ittekimasu!' from students and salarymen alike. It is a ubiquitous part of the soundscape, often accompanied by the sound of bicycle bells or the distant chime of the station announcement. It is so deeply ingrained that it is often uttered subconsciously, a linguistic reflex that marks the transition from the private self to the public self.

In Anime and Manga

Used to establish a 'slice of life' atmosphere. A character leaving for school is a classic trope.

In the Office

Heard when a salesperson leaves for a client meeting or when a team member goes on a business trip.

In Hotels and Ryokans

Staff will say 'Itterasshai' when you leave for sightseeing, and you can respond with 'Ittekimasu.'

In Japanese media, this phrase is used to build character relationships. For example, in a family drama, the way a husband says 'Ittekimasu' to his wife—whether he says it with a smile, a grunt, or forgets to say it at all—tells the audience everything they need to know about the state of their marriage. It is a barometer for domestic harmony. In action anime, a hero might say 'Ittekimasu' before heading into a final battle, which carries a heavy emotional weight: it is a promise to the heroine or the team that they will survive and return home. This use of the phrase transforms it from a simple greeting into a powerful narrative device representing hope and resilience.

You will also hear variations of this in service industries. While a shop clerk won't say it to you, you might hear a delivery driver say it to their dispatcher as they head out for a route. It creates a sense of shared purpose and accountability. In schools, teachers might use it when leaving the staff room to go to a classroom. It is a way of saying, 'I am leaving my post here to perform a duty elsewhere, but I remain part of this unit.' This highlights the collective nature of Japanese society where everyone's location and status are ideally known to the group at all times.

In more traditional settings, like a ryokan (Japanese inn), the staff is trained to listen for the guests' departure. When they hear the guest getting ready in the entrance, they will appear to offer a warm 'Itterasshai.' As a guest, responding with 'Ittekimasu' shows that you have integrated into the rhythm of the house and respect the hospitality. It bridges the gap between being a mere customer and being a 'guest of the house.' This demonstrates how the phrase functions as a social lubricant, smoothing the transitions of daily life and reinforcing the bonds between people, however temporary they may be.

Finally, in the age of social media, you might see 'Ittekimasu' used as a caption for a photo of a train ticket or a suitcase. It signals to one's followers that a journey is beginning. Even in the digital world, the phrase maintains its core function: announcing a departure while implying a future return to the digital 'home' of the feed. Whether spoken in a crowded station or typed on a smartphone, 行ってきます remains one of the most vital and resonant expressions in the Japanese language, connecting millions of people through a simple, shared promise of return.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with 行ってきます is using it in situations where they are leaving a place permanently or for the last time. Because English uses 'I'm leaving' or 'I'm off' for both temporary and permanent departures, it is easy to misapply the Japanese equivalent. If you are moving out of your apartment, saying 'Ittekimasu' to your landlord would be confusing and grammatically incorrect because you are not 'coming back' to live there. In that scenario, you are making a final exit, and the 'kuru' (come) part of the phrase makes no sense. This is a fundamental error that stems from translating the 'feeling' of the English phrase rather than the 'structure' of the Japanese one.

Mistake: Permanent Departure

Using it when moving away or quitting a job. Correct: 'O-sewa ni narimashita' or 'Sayonara.'

Mistake: Wrong Location

Using it when leaving a friend's house to go to your own home. Correct: 'O-jama shimashita.'

Mistake: Confusing with 'Itterasshai'

Saying 'Ittekimasu' to someone else who is leaving. Remember: You are the one 'going.'

Another common pitfall is the confusion between 行ってきます and さようなら (Sayonara). In many Western textbooks, 'Sayonara' is taught as 'Goodbye,' but in modern Japanese, it often carries a sense of finality or a long-term separation. If you say 'Sayonara' to your family as you head to work, it sounds like you are leaving them forever or that you are very upset. Conversely, if you say 'Ittekimasu' when leaving a party, it sounds like you are just popping out to your car and will be right back. Understanding the 'return' aspect is the key to avoiding these awkward social blunders. You must always ask yourself: 'Is this place my home base, and am I coming back here soon?'

Pronunciation is another area where learners struggle. The small 'tsu' (っ) in i-tte-ki-ma-su indicates a glottal stop or a double consonant. If you pronounce it as 'ite-kimasu' (with a long 'i'), it sounds like you are saying 'It's painful' (itai) or just mispronouncing the verb. That tiny pause after the 'i' is crucial for the word to be recognizable. Furthermore, the final 'u' in 'kimasu' is often devocalized (whispered or silent), so it sounds more like 'ittekimas-'. Over-emphasizing the final 'u' can make your Japanese sound robotic or overly accented. Listening to native speakers and mimicking their rhythm is the best way to fix this.

A more subtle mistake involves the register of the phrase. While 行ってきます is generally safe, using it with a very high-status person in a formal ceremony might be too casual. In those cases, the humble 行って参ります (Itte mairimasu) is required. Conversely, using the humble version with your younger brother might sound sarcastic or strangely stiff. Matching your level of 'Keigo' to your audience is a skill that takes time to develop, but starting with the standard 'ittekimasu' is a safe middle ground for most A2-level learners. Just be aware that as you progress, you will need to adjust the 'kimasu' part to 'kuru' or 'mairimasu' depending on the social context.

Finally, learners often forget that this is a 'set' greeting. You don't usually add a lot of extra words inside the phrase. For instance, 'I am going to the store now and I will come back' would be 'Ima kara mise ni ittekimasu.' You wouldn't say 'Itte soshite kimasu.' The 'te' form already handles the 'and' connection. Keeping the phrase intact as a single unit of meaning will help you sound more natural. Remember, it's not just a sentence; it's a social signal that keeps the wheels of Japanese society turning smoothly. Avoiding these common mistakes will ensure that your departures are as culturally resonant as they are linguistically correct.

While 行ってきます is the most versatile phrase for leaving and returning, the Japanese language offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific context. Understanding these nuances is what separates an intermediate learner from a beginner. The most important variation is the humble form, 行って参ります (Itte mairimasu). This uses the humble verb mairu instead of kuru. You would use this when leaving your office to visit a client, or when speaking to a teacher or a much older family member in a traditional household. It conveys a deep sense of professionalism and respect, acknowledging that your movement is in service of the group or the superior.

行って参ります (Itte mairimasu)

Humble version. Used in business or formal settings to show respect to those staying behind.

行ってくる (Itte kuru)

Casual version. Used with close friends, siblings, or spouse. Often followed by particles like 'ne' or 'yo'.

お先に失礼します (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu)

Used when leaving the office for the day. Means 'I am leaving before you (pardon the rudeness).'

It is crucial to distinguish 行ってきます from お先に失礼します (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu). While both involve leaving, the latter is used when you are finished with your work for the day and are heading home. You are not 'coming back' to the office until the next day. Therefore, 'Ittekimasu' would be wrong if you are done with work. However, if you are leaving the office at 2:00 PM for a meeting and plan to return at 4:00 PM, you would say 'Ittekimasu.' The distinction lies entirely in the intention to return within the current social 'session.' This is a common point of confusion for those working in Japanese environments.

In very casual, slangy situations, young people might shorten the phrase even further or use different verbs entirely. For example, 「ちょっと出てくる」 (Chotto detekuru) - 'I'm heading out for a bit.' This focuses on the act of 'exiting' (deru) rather than 'going' (iku). While it serves a similar purpose, it lacks the ritualistic weight of 'Ittekimasu.' Another alternative in a group setting is 「じゃあね」 (Jaa ne) or 「またね」 (Mata ne), which focus on the next meeting ('See you later') rather than the act of leaving itself. These are common when parting ways with friends on a street corner, where 'Ittekimasu' would be inappropriate because you aren't leaving a 'home base.'

For those in a customer service role, you might hear 「失礼いたします」 (Shitsurei itashimasu) as a staff member leaves your table or room. This is a very formal 'excuse me' and is used because the staff member's 'going and coming' is not the focus; rather, the focus is on the politeness of their movement in your presence. As a learner, you don't need to worry about saying this yourself unless you work in a Japanese restaurant or hotel, but recognizing it helps you understand the landscape of Japanese greetings. The beauty of 'Ittekimasu' is its specificity—it is the only phrase that explicitly builds the promise of return into the verb itself.

In summary, while 'Ittekimasu' is your go-to phrase, keep 'Itte mairimasu' in your pocket for formal situations, 'Itte kuru' for friends, and 'Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu' for when you are truly done for the day. By choosing the right alternative, you show that you understand not just the words, but the social dynamics of the Japanese language. This level of discernment is a hallmark of a culturally sensitive and advanced speaker of Japanese.