でかける

The Japanese verb でかける (dekakeru), written in kanji as 出かける, is an essential vocabulary word that fundamentally translates to 'to go out' or 'to depart.' This word is deeply embedded in daily Japanese life and communication, representing the action of leaving one's current base—most commonly one's home, office, or current place of residence—with a specific purpose or destination in mind. Unlike the simple verb 行く (iku), which merely means 'to go' in a directional sense, でかける carries the inherent nuance of a temporary departure from a starting point to engage in an activity, run errands, enjoy leisure time, or attend an event, with the implicit understanding that the person will eventually return to their base. Understanding this distinction is crucial for mastering natural Japanese phrasing. When you use でかける, you are emphasizing the act of leaving the house rather than just the destination itself. This makes it the perfect verb to use when someone asks what you are doing on a weekend, and you want to say you are 'going out' without necessarily specifying exactly where. The word encapsulates the entire experience of preparing to leave, stepping out the door, and embarking on your planned activity.

Core Nuance

Emphasizes the departure from a base (like home) for a specific purpose, rather than just the physical movement to a location.

Furthermore, the kanji 出 (deru/da) means 'to exit' or 'to leave,' while the verb かける (kakeru) has many meanings, but in compound verbs, it often implies the beginning of an action or an outward direction. Together, they perfectly illustrate the concept of 'exiting to begin an activity.' It is important to note that でかける is an Ichidan verb (Group 2), meaning its conjugation is straightforward: you simply drop the 'ru' and add the appropriate suffix, such as 'masu' for formal speech (でかけます) or 'nai' for the negative form (でかけない). This makes it highly accessible for beginners while remaining a staple in advanced discourse. The verb is frequently paired with purpose-indicating particles, such as 'ni' (に), to show why one is going out, as in 'kaimono ni dekakeru' (to go out for shopping) or 'shokuji ni dekakeru' (to go out for a meal).

Grammar Connection

Often used with the particle に (ni) to indicate the purpose of going out (e.g., 遊びに出かける - to go out to play/hang out).

In social contexts, でかける is frequently used when making plans or asking about someone's schedule. A common question is 'Ashita wa dokoka ni dekakemasu ka?' (Are you going out anywhere tomorrow?). This is a polite and unintrusive way to ask about someone's plans without demanding specific details. If the person is just staying home, they might reply 'Iie, doko ni mo dekakemasen' (No, I'm not going out anywhere). The versatility of this verb extends to various modes of transportation and distances. You can 'dekakeru' to the local convenience store just down the street, or you can 'dekakeru' on a day trip to a neighboring prefecture. The core requirement is simply that you are leaving your current primary location. However, for long-term travel or moving, other verbs like 'ryokou suru' (to travel) or 'hikkosu' (to move) are more appropriate. Understanding the boundaries of でかける helps learners sound much more natural and precise in their Japanese expression.

Common Context

Used heavily in weekend planning, discussing daily routines, and explaining one's absence from home.

Using the verb でかける (dekakeru) correctly requires an understanding of its conjugation patterns, the particles it commonly associates with, and the specific sentence structures that frame it naturally. As an Ichidan verb (often called a Group 2 verb or ru-verb), its conjugation is highly regular and predictable, making it a friendly word for learners at the A2 level. To form the polite present/future tense, you drop the final 'ru' (る) and add 'masu' (ます), resulting in でかけます (dekakemasu). For the negative, it becomes でかけません (dekakemasen) in polite speech and でかけない (dekakenai) in casual speech. The past tense is でかけました (dekakemashita) politely, and でかけた (dekaketa) casually. The te-form, which is crucial for connecting sentences or expressing ongoing states, is でかけて (dekakete). Mastering these basic forms is the first step to deploying the word effectively in everyday conversation. Beyond conjugation, the true mastery of でかける lies in how you connect it to other elements in a sentence, particularly destinations and purposes. The particle に (ni) is the most frequent companion to でかける. It is used in two primary ways: to indicate the destination (where you are going out to) and to indicate the purpose (why you are going out). For example, 'Tokyo ni dekakeru' means 'to go out to Tokyo,' highlighting the destination. On the other hand, 'Kaimono ni dekakeru' means 'to go out for shopping,' highlighting the purpose. You can even combine these: 'Tokyo ni kaimono ni dekakeru' (To go out to Tokyo for shopping), though sometimes the destination particle is changed to へ (e) to avoid repetition, as in 'Tokyo e kaimono ni dekakeru.'

Conjugation Group

Ichidan (Group 2 / ru-verb). Drop 'ru' and add the suffix.

Another important structural pattern involves the use of the te-form followed by iru (でかけている / dekakete iru). This form expresses a state of being currently out. If you call someone's house and their family member answers, they might say 'Haha wa ima dekakete imasu' (My mother is currently out). This is a vital phrase for telephone communication and leaving messages. It signifies that the person has left the base and has not yet returned. Additionally, でかける is often modified by adverbs of time and frequency. Words like よく (yoku - often), たまに (tamani - occasionally), and めったに (mettani - rarely, used with negative) frequently precede the verb to describe lifestyle habits. For instance, 'Kare wa yoru osoku ni yoku dekakeru' (He often goes out late at night). You will also frequently hear it used with volitional forms when suggesting an outing: 'Issho ni dekakeyou!' (Let's go out together!) or 'Dekakemasen ka?' (Won't you go out with me?). These invitations are standard in Japanese social interactions.

State of Being Out

Use the te-form + iru (でかけている) to say someone is currently out of the house/office.

It is also worth noting how でかける interacts with the particle と (to), meaning 'with.' When expressing who you are going out with, you place 'Person + to' before the verb. 'Tomodachi to dekakeru' (To go out with a friend) or 'Kazoku to dekakeru' (To go out with family). This is essential for describing weekend plans. Furthermore, the verb can be used as a noun modifier. For example, 'dekakeru jikan' (the time to go out) or 'dekakeru junbi' (preparations to go out). 'Dekakeru junbi o shite imasu' (I am getting ready to go out) is a phrase you will use constantly when living in Japan or communicating with Japanese friends. By mastering these combinations—particles of purpose and destination, adverbs of frequency, state expressions with the te-form, and noun modification—you elevate your use of でかける from a simple vocabulary translation to a fully integrated, natural component of your Japanese communication toolkit.

Noun Modification

Place the dictionary form directly before a noun, e.g., でかける準備 (preparations to go out).

The verb でかける (dekakeru) is ubiquitous in Japanese society, permeating almost every facet of daily life, media, and professional environments. Because the act of leaving one's home or office is a universal daily occurrence, the contexts in which you will encounter this word are incredibly diverse. One of the most common places you will hear it is within the family home or among roommates. Mornings are filled with phrases like 'Mou dekakeru?' (Are you going out already?) or 'Kyou wa nan-ji ni dekakeru no?' (What time are you going out today?). It is the standard vocabulary used to coordinate schedules and manage household logistics. When someone is physically at the door putting on their shoes, they are in the act of 'dekakeru.' In this domestic sphere, it is often paired with reminders: 'Kasa o motte dekakete ne' (Take an umbrella when you go out) or 'Ki o tsukete dekakete kite ne' (Be careful when you go out). These interactions highlight the word's connection to care and daily routine. Moving beyond the home, social interactions heavily rely on this verb. When Japanese people make plans for the weekend, holidays, or after work, でかける is the go-to verb. Friends will text each other asking, 'Kono shuumatsu, dokoka dekakeru?' (Are you going out anywhere this weekend?). It serves as a gentle icebreaker, allowing the other person to share their plans or express that they are free.

Daily Life & Family

Used constantly in the morning to confirm departure times and coordinate family schedules.

In the realm of Japanese media—such as anime, manga, and television dramas—でかける is inescapable. You will frequently see scenes where a character grabs their bag and announces 'Chotto dekakete kuru!' (I'm going out for a bit!). This phrase is a classic trope used to transition a character from their home base to the main setting of the episode's plot. In slice-of-life anime, entire episodes might revolve around the concept of 'dekakeru,' focusing on the preparations, the journey, and the destination. News broadcasts also utilize the word, particularly during weather reports or holiday traffic updates. A weather forecaster might advise viewers, 'Kyou wa kaze ga tsuyoi node, dekakeru sai wa ki o tsukete kudasai' (The wind is strong today, so please be careful when going out). During major holidays like Golden Week or Obon, news anchors will discuss how many people are expected to 'dekakeru' for vacation or to return to their hometowns. In these contexts, the word scales up from individual daily routines to mass societal movements.

Media & Pop Culture

A standard line in anime/drama when a character leaves the house to advance the plot.

The professional environment also has its specific uses for でかける. While formal business language (keigo) often employs more complex vocabulary, the basic concept remains. If you call a company and ask for Mr. Tanaka, the receptionist might say, 'Moushiwake gozaimasen. Tanaka wa tadaima dekakete orimasu' (I am very sorry. Tanaka is currently out). In this business context, 'dekakeru' implies that the employee has left the office for a work-related reason, such as a client meeting or a site visit, and is expected to return. It is a polite way to explain an absence without divulging confidential details about the employee's exact whereabouts. Furthermore, in retail and customer service, you might hear variations of the word in automated announcements or signs. For instance, a sign on a temporarily closed small shop might read 'Chotto dekakete imasu' (I am out for a bit), indicating the shopkeeper has stepped away but will be back shortly. From the intimacy of a family breakfast table to the formal etiquette of a corporate office, and broadcast across national television, でかける is a fundamental pillar of expressing movement and presence in Japanese society.

Business & Office

Used by receptionists to inform callers that a colleague is currently out of the office on business.

When learning the verb でかける (dekakeru), students frequently encounter a few specific stumbling blocks, primarily stemming from direct translations from their native languages and confusion with similar Japanese verbs. The most prominent mistake is conflating でかける with the simple verb 行く (iku), which means 'to go.' While they overlap in English translations, their Japanese usage is distinct. 行く focuses entirely on the destination and the direction of movement. You use 行く when the destination is the most important part of the sentence: 'Gakkou ni iku' (I go to school) or 'Nihon ni iku' (I go to Japan). In contrast, でかける focuses on the act of leaving one's base (home/office) to do something. You would not normally say 'Gakkou ni dekakeru' because going to school is a mandatory routine, not an 'outing' in the sense of でかける. A learner might mistakenly say 'Ashita, Tokyo ni dekakeru' when they are actually moving to Tokyo permanently. でかける implies a temporary trip and a return home. If you are moving or going on a long journey, verbs like 引っ越す (hikkosu - to move) or 旅行する (ryokou suru - to travel) are necessary. Using でかける for a one-way trip or a permanent relocation sounds highly unnatural to a native speaker.

Mistake: Confusing with 行く (iku)

Using でかける for routine, mandatory travel (like commuting to school) instead of 行く.

Another frequent error involves confusing でかける with 出る (deru), which means 'to exit' or 'to leave.' While they share the same starting kanji (出), their applications are different. 出る is used for the physical act of exiting a specific, enclosed space. You 'deru' a room (heya o deru), a building (tatemono o deru), or a meeting (kaigi o deru). It is a simple, physical transition from inside to outside. でかける, however, encompasses the entire concept of an outing. A learner might say 'Ie o dekakeru' trying to say 'I leave the house.' This is grammatically incorrect because でかける is an intransitive verb that does not take the direct object particle を (o) for the place being left. The correct phrasing would be 'Ie o deru' (I leave the house) or simply 'Dekakeru' (I go out). You can combine them to describe the sequence: 'Ie o dete, kaimono ni dekakeru' (I leave the house and go out shopping). Understanding that 出る is the physical exit and でかける is the conceptual outing is crucial for accurate sentence construction. Furthermore, learners sometimes struggle with the particle used for the destination. While に (ni) and へ (e) are correct (e.g., Koen ni dekakeru - to go out to the park), using で (de) is a mistake unless it indicates the means of transportation (e.g., Kuruma de dekakeru - to go out by car).

Mistake: Confusing with 出る (deru)

Using the object particle を (o) with でかける to say 'leave a place' (e.g., 家をでかける is wrong).

Finally, a subtle but common mistake is overusing でかける when a more specific verb is appropriate. While 'Kaimono ni dekakeru' (to go out shopping) is perfectly natural, sometimes learners use でかける as a crutch instead of learning specific activity verbs. For example, instead of saying 'Toshokan ni hon o kari ni dekakeru' (I am going out to the library to borrow a book), a more natural and concise way might just be 'Toshokan ni iku' (I am going to the library) if the context is already clear. Additionally, in highly formal business contexts, using the standard polite form 'dekakete imasu' might not be respectful enough when speaking to a client about a superior's absence. In such cases, failing to use the humble form (gaishutsu shite orimasu) can be seen as a mistake in business etiquette, though it is perfectly acceptable in general conversation. By paying attention to the differences between going (iku), exiting (deru), and going out (dekakeru), and by mastering the correct particles, learners can easily avoid these common pitfalls and speak with much greater confidence and natural flow.

Mistake: Particle Errors

Using で (de) for the destination instead of に (ni) or へ (e).

To truly master the nuances of でかける (dekakeru), it is highly beneficial to compare it with its synonyms and related vocabulary. The Japanese language is rich with verbs that describe movement, and choosing the right one depends heavily on the formality of the situation, the specific nature of the outing, and the speaker's intent. The most direct and formal synonym for でかける is 外出する (gaishutsu suru). This is a Sino-Japanese word (suru-verb) composed of the kanji for 'outside' (外) and 'exit' (出). While it means exactly the same thing—to go out—its usage is distinctly different. 外出する is primarily used in formal, written, or business contexts. You will see it on official notices, in news reports, or hear it in corporate environments. For example, a company might announce 'Gaishutsu o hikaete kudasai' (Please refrain from going out) during a state of emergency. If a receptionist is speaking to a client, they will use the humble form 'Gaishutsu shite orimasu' rather than 'Dekakete imasu' to sound more professional. Using 外出する in a casual conversation with a friend (e.g., 'Ashita gaishutsu suru?') would sound stiff and unnaturally formal, much like asking a friend 'Shall we depart the premises tomorrow?' instead of 'Want to go out tomorrow?'

Formal Synonym: 外出する (gaishutsu suru)

The formal, business, and written equivalent of でかける. Means 'to go out' but is used in professional settings.

Another closely related phrase is 遊びに行く (asobi ni iku), which translates literally to 'to go to play' but is more accurately understood as 'to go out for fun' or 'to hang out.' While でかける is a neutral term that can apply to going out for groceries, going to the bank, or going to a theme park, 遊びに行く specifically implies a leisure activity. If a teenager tells their parents 'Asobi ni itte kuru' (I'm going out to hang out), it is clear they are doing something for enjoyment, not running errands. でかける is the broader umbrella term, and 遊びに行く is a specific type of outing under that umbrella. Similarly, the simple verb 行く (iku - to go) is often used in place of でかける when the destination is the primary focus. As discussed in the common mistakes section, 行く is directional. If you say 'Shibuya ni iku' (I am going to Shibuya), the focus is on Shibuya. If you say 'Shibuya ni dekakeru' (I am going out to Shibuya), the focus is slightly shifted to the event of leaving the house to experience Shibuya. Both are grammatically correct, but the nuance differs slightly based on what the speaker wants to emphasize.

Leisure Synonym: 遊びに行く (asobi ni iku)

Specifically means to go out for fun, leisure, or to hang out with friends, whereas でかける can include chores.

We must also consider verbs that describe the return journey, as they are the natural antonyms and companions to でかける. The verb 帰る (kaeru - to return home) is the inevitable conclusion to any でかける action. The cycle of daily life in Japan is constantly described by the interplay of these two verbs: dekakeru in the morning, kaeru in the evening. Another related concept is 散歩する (sanpo suru - to take a walk). While taking a walk is a form of going out, using 散歩する is much more specific. You might say 'Sanpo ni dekakeru' (to go out for a walk), combining the two concepts. Lastly, the verb 立ち寄る (tachiyoru - to drop by) is useful when describing actions taken while you are already out. You might 'dekakeru' to the city, and on the way home, 'tachiyoru' at a convenience store. By understanding this ecosystem of movement verbs—the formal 外出する, the fun 遊びに行く, the directional 行く, the returning 帰る, and the specific 散歩する—you can choose the exact right word for every situation, making your Japanese sound rich, precise, and native-like.

Directional Word: 行く (iku)

Focuses purely on the destination, lacking the 'leaving the house' nuance of でかける.