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A2 verb #2,500 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

持っていく

motteiku
At the A1 level, you learn that 'motte iku' means 'to take'. It is one of the first compound verbs you encounter. You use it for simple things like taking an umbrella because it might rain, or taking a bag to a friend's house. The most important thing to remember is that it combines 'motsu' (to hold) and 'iku' (to go). You should practice the polite form 'motte ikimasu'. Think of it as 'hold and go'. For example, 'I take my phone' is 'Keitai wo motte ikimasu'. It is a very useful word for talking about your daily routine and what you carry in your bag. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just focus on the 'Object + wo + motte ikimasu' pattern.
At the A2 level, you start to distinguish between 'motte iku' (take) and 'motte kuru' (bring). You understand that 'motte iku' is used when you are moving away from your current location. You also learn to use the te-form 'motte itte' for requests, like 'Please take this' (Kore wo motte itte kudasai). You might start using it with destinations using the particles 'ni' or 'e'. You also learn that you cannot use this verb for people; for people, you must use 'tsurete iku'. This is a key distinction for passing A2 level exams like the JLPT N4. You also become aware of the casual contraction 'motteku', which is common in anime and daily life.
At the B1 level, you use 'motte iku' in more complex grammatical structures. You might use the conditional form 'motte ikeba' (if you take) or the potential form 'motte ikeru' (can take). You also learn to use it with auxiliary verbs like 'motte itte shimau' (to take by mistake/completely). You understand the nuance of using 'motte iku' in social contexts, such as bringing a gift to someone's house. You also start to recognize the humble version 'o-mochi shimasu' in business settings. Your focus shifts to choosing the right level of politeness and using the verb naturally in longer stories or explanations about your plans.
At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'motte iku' and its synonyms (like 'hakobu' or 'todokeru') with precision. You understand that 'motte iku' implies the speaker is part of the movement. You can use it in abstract ways, such as 'taking a discussion to a conclusion'. You are also comfortable with the various causative and passive forms, though they are less common for this specific verb. You can explain the cultural significance of 'motte iku' in the context of 'temiyage' (souvenirs/gifts) and the social obligations involved. Your speech is fluent, and you naturally elide the 'i' in casual settings without thinking about it.
At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the 'V-te + iku' aspectual construction. You know that 'motte iku' is just one example of how 'iku' can show a change in state or a movement away from the present. You can use the verb in formal writing and understand its role in classical-style expressions or high-level literature. You are sensitive to the subtle differences between 'motte iku' and 'mochidasu' (to take out/smuggle) in legal or formal contexts. You can discuss the linguistics of Japanese directional verbs and how they differ from English 'take/bring' logic in complex scenarios involving third parties.
At the C2 level, your mastery of '持っていく' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You use it effortlessly in all registers, from the most casual slang to the most formal Keigo. You understand the historical evolution of the compound verb and can appreciate its use in idiomatic expressions or wordplay. You can navigate complex social situations where the choice of 'motte iku' versus a more specific verb like 'jisan suru' (to bring/carry - formal) reflects your social standing and education. You can also analyze how the verb functions in different Japanese dialects, where directional logic might vary slightly.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

持っていく en 30 secondes

  • Core meaning: To take an object away from the speaker.
  • Grammar: Te-form of 'motsu' + 'iku'.
  • Restriction: Only for objects/animals, not people.
  • Opposite: 'Motte kuru' (to bring).

The Japanese verb 持っていく (motte iku) is a compound verb consisting of the te-form of 持つ (motsu), meaning 'to hold' or 'to carry', and the verb いく (iku), meaning 'to go'. At its core, it describes the action of taking an object from the speaker's current location to another destination. This movement is always directed away from the speaker or the current point of reference. In English, we often translate this as 'to take', 'to carry away', or 'to bring along (to somewhere else)'. Understanding the spatial logic of Japanese is crucial here: the 'te-form + iku' construction indicates that you perform the first action (holding) and then move away (going).

Grammatical Category
Compound Verb (V-te + iku)
Transitivity
Transitive (takes the particle を)
Politeness Levels
持っていきます (Polite), 持っていく (Plain)

「お弁当を学校に持っていくのを忘れました。」 (I forgot to take my lunch box to school.)

— Common everyday usage

When using this verb, the focus is on the departure and the transit. It implies that the object is currently with you (or near you) and will end up somewhere else. This distinguishes it sharply from its counterpart, 持ってくる (motte kuru), which means to bring something toward the speaker. In Japanese culture, being mindful of what you need to 'take' with you—whether it's a gift (temiyage) for a host or necessary documents for a meeting—is a sign of preparation and respect. The verb covers everything from small items like keys to larger items that require effort to carry.

「傘を持っていったほうがいいですよ。雨が降りそうですから。」 (You should take an umbrella. It looks like it's going to rain.)

Common Objects
Umbrellas, bags, documents, gifts, food, tools.

Beyond physical objects, 持っていく can sometimes be used in more abstract contexts, such as taking a conversation in a certain direction or 'taking' a win in a competition (though other verbs like 勝ち取る are more common for the latter). However, for A2 learners, the focus remains on the physical transport of goods. The verb is often shortened in casual speech to 持ってく (motteku), dropping the 'i' sound, which is a very common phonological reduction in Japanese.

「この資料を会議室に持っていってください。」 (Please take these documents to the meeting room.)

Using 持っていく correctly involves understanding particle markers and verb conjugation. The basic sentence structure is: [Subject] は [Object] を [Destination] に/へ 持っていく. The particle を (wo) marks the item being carried, while に (ni) or へ (e) marks the destination. If you are taking something 'with' you, you don't necessarily need a destination if the context implies you are just leaving with it.

Conjugation Table
  • Present Polite: 持っていきます
  • Past Polite: 持っていきました
  • Te-form: 持っていって
  • Negative: 持っていかない
  • Potential: 持っていける

One of the most common ways you'll use this verb is in the 〜てください (te-kudasai) form to ask someone to take something somewhere. For example, 'Please take this trash out' would be 「このゴミを外に持っていってください。」. In business settings, you might use the humble form 「お持ちいたします」 when offering to take something for a client or superior, though the base verb remains the foundation of that expression.

「ピクニックに何を持っていけばいいですか？」 (What should I take to the picnic?)

The verb also interacts with various auxiliary verbs. For instance, 持っていかなければならない (motte ikanakereba naranai) means 'must take'. This is frequently used when discussing school supplies or travel essentials. Another common pairing is with 〜てしまう (te shimau), as in 「鍵を持っていってしまった」 (I accidentally took the keys with me), implying a mistake or an unintended consequence of carrying the item away.

「明日のパーティーにワインを二本持っていこうと思っています。」 (I'm thinking of taking two bottles of wine to tomorrow's party.)

In casual conversation, the 'i' in 'iku' is often elided. You will hear 「これ、持ってって」 (Take this) instead of 「これ、持っていって」. This is standard in spoken Japanese and helps the flow of the sentence. However, in formal writing or exams, always use the full 持っていく form. When describing a habitual action, such as taking a laptop to work every day, you use the 〜ている form: 「毎日パソコンを持っていっています。」

You will encounter 持っていく in a vast array of daily situations in Japan. At home, family members often remind each other to take their belongings before leaving. A mother might shout, 「忘れ物はない？ハンカチ持っていった？」 (Did you forget anything? Did you take your handkerchief?). In this context, the verb is synonymous with being prepared for the day ahead. It is also central to the concept of bento culture, where taking a home-cooked meal to work or school is a standard practice.

Scenario: At the Office
Colleagues asking to move documents or equipment to different floors or meeting rooms.
Scenario: Traveling
Checking lists of what to pack in a suitcase or carry-on bag.
Scenario: Social Gatherings
Discussing 'potluck' style contributions or bringing gifts to a friend's house.

「この荷物を車まで持っていきましょうか？」 (Shall I take this luggage to the car for you?)

In the service industry, you might hear it when a waiter asks if they can 'take away' your finished plate, though they often use more formal verbs like お下げします (osage-shimasu). However, if you are at a fast-food counter and want your food 'to go', the concept of taking it with you is expressed through テイクアウト (take-out) or 持ち帰り (mochikaeri). If you were to describe the action of taking that food to a park, you would then use 持っていく.

「キャンプには、暖かい服をたくさん持っていったほうがいいですよ。」 (You should take a lot of warm clothes to the camp.)

In anime and drama, you'll often see a character running out the door with a piece of toast in their mouth, having forgotten to 'take' their bag, leading to a chase scene where someone else has to 'bring' (motte kuru) it to them. This highlights the directional difference perfectly. If you are at school and realize you left your homework at home, you say 「家に忘れてきました」, but if you are at home and about to leave, you say 「宿題を持っていかなきゃ」 (I have to take my homework).

The most frequent mistake for English speakers is confusing 持っていく (take) with 持ってくる (bring). In English, 'bring' can sometimes be used interchangeably depending on the perspective, but in Japanese, the distinction is rigid. If you are going to a party and calling the host, you say 'I will take (motte iku) wine,' because you are moving from your current location to theirs. You only use 'motte kuru' if you are already at the destination or if you are the host asking someone to bring something.

Mistake 1: Using for People
Saying 「子供を学校に持っていく」 (I take the child to school). This sounds like you are carrying the child like a suitcase. Use 連れていく (tsurete iku).
Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Motsu'
Using just 持つ (motsu) when you mean to take something somewhere. 持つ only means to hold or possess.

❌ 「友達をパーティーに持っていきます。」
✅ 「友達をパーティーに連れていきます。」

Another common error is the conjugation of the te-form. Because iku is irregular, some learners mistakenly say 持っていいて (motte iite) or 持っていって (motte i-tte) with the wrong rhythm. It must be 持っていって (motte itte). Furthermore, learners often forget the particle を. While it's sometimes dropped in casual speech, in the A2/B1 learning phase, it's important to remember that this is a transitive action requiring a direct object.

Finally, be careful with the 'i' elision. While 持ってって (mottette) is common, it can sound overly casual or even rude if used with a superior without the proper polite endings. If you are speaking to a boss, stick to 持っていってください or the humble お持ちします. Mixing up the levels of politeness while using compound verbs is a frequent pitfall for intermediate students.

❌ 「先生、これを持ってって！」
✅ 「先生、こちらを持っていってください。」

Understanding the nuances between 持っていく and its synonyms will greatly improve your Japanese fluency. The most important distinction is between taking objects and taking people. As mentioned, 連れていく (tsurete iku) is used for animate beings (people, pets) that move under their own power but are guided by you. If you are carrying a baby, you might use 持っていく in a literal sense, but 連れていく is still more common for the act of 'taking' them somewhere.

運ぶ (hakobu)
To transport or carry. Used for heavy items or when the focus is on the labor of moving something from A to B.
持ち出す (mochidasu)
To take out or carry out. Often used when taking something out of a building or a specific restricted area.
届ける (todokeru)
To deliver. Used when the purpose of taking the item is to give it to a specific recipient.

「重い荷物を二階へ運びました。」 (I carried/transported the heavy luggage to the second floor.)

Another related verb is 持ってくる (motte kuru). The difference is purely directional. If you are at point A and going to point B, you 'motte iku' to B. If you are at point B and someone comes from point A, they 'motte kuru' to you. This is a fundamental concept in Japanese called 'directional verbs' and applies to many other pairs like 連れていく/連れてくる and 送っていく/送ってくる.

「忘れ物を届けに、学校へ行きました。」 (I went to school to deliver something forgotten.)

Lastly, consider 持ち歩く (mochiaruku), which means 'to carry around'. This is used when you have something with you as you move from place to place, rather than taking it to a specific destination. For example, 'I always carry a dictionary with me' would use 持ち歩く. Choosing the right verb depends on whether the focus is on the destination (iku), the origin (kuru), the labor (hakobu), or the continuous state (aruku).

How Formal Is It?

Formel

""

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

1

かばんを持っていきます。

I will take my bag.

Simple present polite form.

2

かさを持っていきますか？

Will you take an umbrella?

Question form.

3

おべんとうを持っていきます。

I take a lunch box.

Direct object with particle 'wo'.

4

カメラを持っていきました。

I took a camera.

Past polite form.

5

本を三冊持っていきます。

I will take three books.

Counter 'satsu' used with the object.

6

お菓子を持っていきましょう。

Let's take some sweets.

Volitional 'mashou' form.

7

これをあそこに持っていきます。

I will take this over there.

Destination 'asoko' with 'ni'.

8

何も持っていきません。

I won't take anything.

Negative polite form.

1

傘を持っていったほうがいいですよ。

You should take an umbrella.

Advice using 'ta hou ga ii'.

2

この手紙をポストに持っていってください。

Please take this letter to the post box.

Request using 'te kudasai'.

3

辞書を持っていかなくてもいいです。

You don't have to take a dictionary.

Negative 'nakutemo ii' (don't have to).

4

重いから、持っていけません。

It's heavy, so I can't take it.

Potential negative 'ikenai'.

5

パーティーに何を持っていけばいいですか？

What should I take to the party?

Conditional 'ba ii' for asking advice.

6

帽子を持っていかなければなりません。

I must take a hat.

Obligation 'nakereba naranai'.

7

彼はいつもパソコンを持っていっています。

He always takes his laptop (with him).

Habitual action using 'te iru'.

8

ゴミを持ってってください。

Please take the trash (casual).

Casual contraction 'mottette'.

1

大切な書類を持っていき忘れてしまいました。

I completely forgot to take the important documents.

Compound with 'wasurete shimau'.

2

旅行には、最低限の荷物だけ持っていくことにしました。

I decided to take only the minimum amount of luggage for the trip.

Decision 'koto ni shita'.

3

お土産を持っていったら、とても喜ばれました。

When I took a souvenir, they were very happy.

Conditional 'tara' showing result.

4

雨が降るかもしれないので、折りたたみ傘を持っていこう。

It might rain, so let's take a folding umbrella.

Volitional 'motte ikou' + 'kamoshirenai'.

5

この資料、会議室に持っていっておいてくれる？

Can you take these materials to the meeting room in advance?

Preparatory action 'te oku' + 'kureru'.

6

飲み物を持っていかないと、喉が渇きますよ。

If you don't take a drink, you'll get thirsty.

Conditional 'to' for natural consequences.

7

どこへ行くにも、本を一冊持っていきます。

No matter where I go, I take a book with me.

Adverbial 'doko e iku ni mo'.

8

お荷物、お出口までお持ちしましょうか？

Shall I take your luggage to the exit? (Humble)

Humble 'o-mochi shimashou'.

1

海外出張にどのスーツを持っていこうか迷っている。

I'm wondering which suit to take on my business trip abroad.

Indirect question with 'ka mayotte iru'.

2

彼は自分の意見を最後まで持っていこうとした。

He tried to carry his opinion through to the end.

Abstract usage of 'motte iku'.

3

そんな重いもの、一人で持っていけるはずがない。

There's no way you can take something that heavy by yourself.

Expectation 'hazu ga nai'.

4

忘れ物を取りに帰る時間がなかったので、そのまま持っていかずに仕事に行った。

I didn't have time to go back for what I forgot, so I went to work without taking it.

Negative 'zu ni' (without doing).

5

キャンプの道具は、車で持っていくのが一番楽だ。

Taking camping gear by car is the easiest way.

Nominalization 'no ga' + adjective.

6

この古い家具をリサイクルショップに持っていこうと思っている。

I'm thinking of taking this old furniture to a thrift shop.

Intention 'to omotte iru'.

7

予備のバッテリーを持っていったおかげで、助かりました。

Thanks to taking a spare battery, I was saved.

Reason 'okage de'.

8

会場に持っていける荷物の大きさには制限があります。

There are limits on the size of luggage you can take into the venue.

Noun modification with potential form.

1

議論を望ましい方向へ持っていくためには、事前の準備が不可欠だ。

In order to steer the discussion in the desired direction, prior preparation is essential.

Abstract 'steer/take' a discussion.

2

彼はその場の空気をすべて持っていってしまうような魅力がある。

He has a charm that seems to take over the entire atmosphere of the place.

Idiomatic 'take over' the air/mood.

3

証拠品を勝手に持ち出すことは、法律で禁じられている。

Taking evidence out without permission is prohibited by law.

Using 'mochidasu' as a formal synonym.

4

現地調達できないものは、日本から持っていくよりほかありません。

For things that cannot be procured locally, there is no choice but to take them from Japan.

Expression 'yori hoka arimasen' (no choice but).

5

このプロジェクトを成功に持っていくには、チーム全員の協力が必要です。

To bring this project to success, the cooperation of all team members is necessary.

Abstract 'bring to success'.

6

手土産を持っていくという習慣は、日本の贈答文化に深く根付いている。

The custom of taking a small gift is deeply rooted in Japan's gift-giving culture.

Cultural analysis context.

7

彼はその試合の話題をすべて持っていった。

He stole all the headlines/talk regarding that match.

Idiomatic 'steal the show'.

8

不必要なものまで持っていこうとするのは、彼の悪い癖だ。

Trying to take even unnecessary things is a bad habit of his.

Emphasis with 'made'.

1

事態を収束へと持っていくための、政治的な手腕が問われている。

Political skill to bring the situation to a resolution is being called into question.

High-level abstract 'bring to resolution'.

2

自らの信念を墓場まで持っていく覚悟だ。

I am prepared to take my beliefs with me to the grave.

Metaphorical usage.

3

観客の心を一瞬で持っていくような、圧倒的なパフォーマンスだった。

It was an overwhelming performance that captured the hearts of the audience in an instant.

Idiomatic 'capture/take' hearts.

4

その法案を可決に持っていくための裏工作が行われた。

Behind-the-scenes maneuvering was carried out to bring the bill to a vote/passage.

Political/Strategic context.

5

彼は会話の主導権を巧みに自分の方へ持っていった。

He skillfully steered the initiative of the conversation toward himself.

Steering control/initiative.

6

伝統を次世代へと持っていく（引き継ぐ）責任がある。

We have a responsibility to carry tradition into the next generation.

Abstract 'carrying' through time.

7

この難局をどうにか打開へと持っていきたい。

I want to somehow bring this difficult situation to a breakthrough.

Abstract 'bring to breakthrough'.

8

彼は、その場の主役を完全に持っていってしまった。

He completely stole the spotlight of the occasion.

Idiomatic 'stole the show'.

Collocations courantes

傘を持っていく (take an umbrella)
お土産を持っていく (take a souvenir)
弁当を持っていく (take a lunch box)
資料を持っていく (take documents)
カバンを持っていく (take a bag)
カメラを持っていく (take a camera)
プレゼントを持っていく (take a gift)
飲み物を持っていく (take a drink)
道具を持っていく (take tools)
現金を持っていく (take cash)

Phrases Courantes

持っていってください (Please take it)

持っていきましょうか？ (Shall I take it?)

持っていったほうがいい (Better to take it)

持っていかなければならない (Must take it)

持っていくつもりだ (Intend to take it)

持っていくのを忘れた (Forgot to take it)

何を持っていけばいい？ (What should I take?)

一緒に持っていく (Take along together)

全部持っていく (Take everything)

こっそり持っていく (Take secretly)

Souvent confondu avec

持っていく vs 持ってくる

持っていく vs 連れていく

持っていく vs 運ぶ

Expressions idiomatiques

""

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""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Facile à confondre

持っていく vs 持つ

持っていく vs 行く

持っていく vs 持ち出す

持っていく vs 持ち帰る

持っていく vs 届ける

Structures de phrases

Famille de mots

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

animals

Small animals in cages can use 'motte iku', but walking a dog uses 'tsurete iku'.

abstract

Can mean 'to steer' a situation in a certain direction.

Erreurs courantes
  • Confusing with 'motte kuru' (bring).
  • Using for people instead of 'tsurete iku'.
  • Forgetting the small 'tsu' in 'motte'.
  • Using 'motsu' alone to mean 'take'.
  • Incorrect te-form conjugation ('motte iite').

Astuces

Te-form Link

Always remember that 'motte' is the bridge between 'holding' and 'going'.

Directional Check

Before speaking, ask: Is the object going away from me? If yes, use 'iku'.

Person vs Object

Never 'motte iku' a person unless you are literally carrying them like a sack.

Gift Etiquette

When taking a gift, say 'tsumaranai mono desu ga' (it's a boring thing, but...) as you give it.

Kanji usage

Always use the kanji 持 for 'motte' and usually hiragana for 'iku' in this compound.

Contraction Alert

If you hear 'motte-tte', it's just 'motte itte' spoken quickly.

JLPT N4/N5

This is a frequent topic in listening sections. Watch the arrows/pictures for direction.

Abstract 'Take'

Use it to describe 'taking' a win or 'taking' a conversation somewhere.

With 'Oku'

'Motte itte oku' means to take something there in advance.

Action Chain

Visualize: Pick up -> Walk away. That is 'motte iku'.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Japanese compound

Contexte culturel

Gifts taken to hosts.

The Japanese term for 'takeout' food.

The common result of failing to 'motte iku' something important.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"旅行に何を持っていきますか？ (What do you take on trips?)"

"明日のパーティー、何を持っていけばいいと思う？ (What should I take to tomorrow's party?)"

"いつもカバンの中に何を持っていっていますか？ (What do you always carry in your bag?)"

"日本のお土産、何を持っていったら喜ばれるかな？ (What Japanese souvenir should I take to make them happy?)"

"重い荷物を持っていってあげましょうか？ (Shall I take that heavy luggage for you?)"

Sujets d'écriture

今日、仕事に持っていったものをリストアップしてください。 (List the things you took to work today.)

無人島に一つだけ持っていくなら、何を選びますか？ (If you could take only one thing to a deserted island, what would it be?)

子供の頃、学校に持っていくのが好きだったものは何ですか？ (What did you like taking to school as a child?)

大切な人に持っていきたいプレゼントについて書いてください。 (Write about a gift you want to take to someone important.)

忘れ物をして、持っていけなかった時の失敗談を書いてください。 (Write about a time you forgot something and couldn't take it.)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, you should use 'tsurete iku'. 'Motte iku' is for objects.

'Motteku' is just a casual contraction of 'motte iku'. They mean the same thing.

You can use 'mochikaeri' or 'take-out'. If you are taking it to a park, you say 'kouen ni motte iku'.

It is the dictionary form. Use 'motte ikimasu' to be polite.

Yes, mostly. 'Ni' is more common for the specific goal, 'e' for the general direction.

Use 'motte iku no wo wasureta'.

You can still use 'motte iku', but 'hakobu' (transport) might be more descriptive.

If it's in a carrier, yes. If it's on a leash, 'tsurete iku' is better.

By itself, it's a casual command. Adding 'kudasai' makes it a polite request.

No, 'motsu' can mean to own, but 'motte iku' always implies movement.

Teste-toi 180 questions

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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