もっていく

The Japanese verb もっていく (motte iku) is a fundamental compound verb that every learner must master early in their journey. At its core, it translates to "to take (something somewhere)." However, to truly understand its usage, one must look at its components: motte (the te-form of motsu, meaning 'to hold' or 'to carry') and iku (meaning 'to go'). Therefore, the literal sense is "to hold something and go." This directionality is crucial in Japanese grammar. Unlike English, where 'take' can sometimes be ambiguous regarding direction, motte iku explicitly describes an action where an object is moved from the speaker's current location toward another destination. If you are at home and planning to bring a bottle of wine to a friend's party, you are 'holding and going' with that wine. This distinction is the polar opposite of motte kuru (to bring), which implies moving something toward the speaker's current location. Understanding this spatial relationship is the first step toward natural Japanese fluency.

Core Concept

The physical act of carrying an inanimate object from point A (here) to point B (there).

Grammatical Composition

A combination of the verb 'motsu' (to hold) in its connective te-form and the motion verb 'iku' (to go).

In daily life, this word appears in almost every context imaginable. Parents tell their children to take their umbrellas because it might rain; office workers discuss taking documents to a meeting; and travelers talk about what they need to take on their trips. It is important to note that motte iku is generally reserved for inanimate objects. If you are taking a person or an animal somewhere, you would use a different verb entirely: tsurete iku. This distinction between 'carrying' an object and 'leading/accompanying' a sentient being is a common hurdle for English speakers, as English often uses 'take' for both. For example, you 'motte iku' your homework, but you 'tsurete iku' your younger brother to the park. Mixing these up can sound quite humorous or even slightly rude to native ears, as it implies you are carrying the person like a piece of luggage.

Beyond physical movement, motte iku can also carry a slightly more abstract nuance in certain expressions, though its primary function remains physical. For instance, in sports or business, it can describe 'taking' or 'carrying' a certain momentum or atmosphere into a situation. However, for A2 learners, focusing on the physical displacement of objects is the most effective way to build a solid foundation. The politeness levels are also standard: motte iku (dictionary/casual), motte ikimasu (polite), and motte itte (request/te-form). Because it ends in iku, it follows all the standard conjugation patterns of that irregular verb (e.g., itte, itta, ikanai).

Usage Tip

When asking someone to take something to someone else, use the form 'motte itte kudasai'.

In summary, motte iku is the go-to verb for moving things away from your current location. It combines the action of holding with the action of going, creating a vivid image of the process. Whether it's a gift for a host, tools for a job, or trash to the bin, this verb covers the 'taking' of nearly all physical, non-living things. Mastering it alongside its counterpart motte kuru (to bring) will allow you to describe almost any logistical movement of objects in your daily life.

Using もっていく (motte iku) correctly requires an understanding of Japanese sentence structure and the specific particles that interact with this verb. Since it is a transitive verb (it takes an object), the most common particle you will use is o (を) to mark the thing being taken. Additionally, because the verb implies movement toward a destination, you will frequently use ni (に) or e (へ) to indicate the goal or location where the object is being taken. The basic pattern is: [Object] を [Destination] に/へ もっていく. This structure is very logical once you break it down into the 'holding' part and the 'going' part.

The Particle 'O' (を)

Marks the direct object (the thing you are carrying). Example: 'hon o' (the book).

The Particle 'Ni' or 'E' (に/へ)

Marks the destination or recipient. Example: 'gakkou ni' (to school).

Conjugation is another vital aspect. Since the main verb being conjugated is iku, you must remember its irregular forms. The past tense of iku is itta, so the past tense of motte iku is motte itta (took). If you want to say you 'didn't take' something, you use motte ikanakatta. In polite Japanese, these become motte ikimashita and motte ikimasen deshita. When asking a question, such as "What should I take?", you would say nani o motte ikeba ii desu ka? using the conditional form. This versatility allows you to navigate various social situations, from casual outings with friends to formal business errands.

One nuance to be careful of is the 'potential' form. If you want to say you 'can take' something, the verb becomes motte ikeru. This is often used when discussing baggage limits or whether you have enough space in your bag. For example, "I can only take two suitcases" would be suutsukeesu wa futatsu shika motte ikemasen. On the other hand, the 'volitional' form motte ikou (let's take) is perfect for planning. "Let's take some snacks!" would be okashi o motte ikou!. By layering these conjugations onto the base verb, you can express a wide range of intentions and possibilities.

Negative Form

もっていかない (motte ikanai) - Not taking.

Past Form

もっていった (motte itta) - Took.

Finally, consider the subject. In Japanese, the subject is often omitted if it's clear from context. If you say motte ikimasu, it's usually assumed you (the speaker) are the one taking it. If you want to specify that someone else is taking it, you add their name with the particle wa or ga. For example, Tanaka-san ga motte ikimashita (Mr. Tanaka took it). This grammatical flexibility is a hallmark of the Japanese language, and motte iku serves as an excellent vehicle for practicing these fundamental rules.

You will encounter もっていく (motte iku) in a vast array of real-world scenarios, from the moment you wake up to the time you go to bed. In a Japanese household, it's one of the most common verbs used during the morning rush. Parents will frequently check if their children have everything they need for school. You'll hear phrases like wasuremono wa nai? chanto motte itta? (Did you forget anything? Did you take everything with you?). Here, the verb is used to ensure responsibility and preparedness. It’s also common when leaving for work; a spouse might remind their partner, kasa o motte itte ne (Take your umbrella, okay?) if the weather forecast looks grim. These daily interactions solidify the verb's role as a staple of domestic life.

At Home

Reminders about school bags, lunches, umbrellas, and keys.

At the Office

Discussing documents, laptops, or presentation materials for client visits.

In the business world, the word shifts slightly in formality but remains ubiquitous. When preparing for a business trip (shutchou) or a meeting at a client's office, coworkers will coordinate what needs to be taken. You might hear, shiryou wa boku ga motte ikimasu (I'll take the documents). In these contexts, the verb emphasizes the physical transport of professional assets. If the situation is very formal, a speaker might use o-mochi shimasu (the humble form of carrying), but motte ikimasu remains the standard for most internal communication. It’s also used when discussing 'taking out' food at a restaurant, although the specific term mochikaeri (take-out) is more common for the service itself, you might say motte itte tabemasu (I'll take it and eat it).

Travel and social gatherings are another major arena for this verb. When planning a hike, a picnic, or a trip to the beach, friends will discuss the logistics of who takes what. Tanaka-san wa nani o motte iku? (What are you taking, Tanaka?). This is where the casual contraction motteku is most frequently heard. It sounds natural and energetic. You'll also hear it in instructions at tourist spots, like "Please take your trash home with you"—gomi wa mochi-kaerimashou or gomi wa motte kaerou. This specific variation, motte kaeru (to take back/home), is a very common sub-set of motte iku.

Social Events

Deciding on drinks, snacks, or games to bring to a party.

Public Spaces

Signs about taking care of personal belongings or taking trash home.

In media like anime or dramas, motte iku is often used dramatically. A character might say subete o motte itta (They took everything from me), referring to something abstract like hope or a future. While the verb is primarily physical, these dramatic uses show its versatility. Whether you are listening to a teacher's instructions, a friend's plans, or a TV show's dialogue, motte iku will be there, acting as the primary verb for the movement of things through the Japanese world.

For English speakers, the most frequent mistake when using もっていく (motte iku) is failing to distinguish between people and objects. In English, we use the word 'take' for almost everything: "I'll take the book" and "I'll take my sister." In Japanese, these are strictly separated. Motte iku (literally 'to hold and go') is for inanimate objects. If you use it for a person, you are implying that you are physically picking them up and carrying them like a box. Unless you are talking about a baby, this is usually incorrect. For people (and usually pets), you must use tsurete iku (to lead/accompany and go). This is a 'high-frequency' error that can make sentences sound very strange to native speakers.

Mistake #1: Objects vs. People

Using 'motte iku' for people. Correct: 'tomodachi o tsurete iku' (take a friend).

Mistake #2: Wrong Direction

Confusing 'motte iku' (away) with 'motte kuru' (toward). If you are already at the destination, you can't say you will 'motte iku' something there.

Another common pitfall is the confusion between 'motte iku' and 'motte kuru'. This is entirely about the speaker's perspective and current location. If you are at point A and going to point B, you 'motte iku' the object. However, if you are already at point B and telling someone to bring something to you, you use 'motte kuru'. English speakers often use 'take' and 'bring' interchangeably in certain contexts, but Japanese is very rigid about this. For example, if you call your friend from a party and ask them to 'take' some beer, in Japanese, you MUST ask them to 'bring' (motte kite) the beer because the destination is where you are currently located.

A third mistake involves the particle usage. Some learners use de (で) instead of o (を) for the object, or kara (から) instead of ni (に) for the destination. Remember that motte iku is a transitive verb of motion. The object being moved is the target of the action (o), and the destination is the goal of the motion (ni/e). Also, don't forget the 'te' in motte iku. Some beginners try to say motsu iku, which is grammatically impossible. The te-form is the 'glue' that connects 'holding' and 'going' into a single continuous action.

Mistake #3: Missing the Te-form

Saying 'motsu iku' or 'mochi iku'. Always use 'motte iku'.

Mistake #4: Particle Confusion

Using 'ni' for the object. 'Hon ni motte iku' would mean you are taking something TO the book, not taking the book.

Lastly, be aware of the 'politeness' trap. While motte iku is fine for most situations, in very formal business environments, using it to describe taking something to a superior might sound a bit too casual. In those cases, the humble o-mochi itashimasu is preferred. However, for A2 learners, the priority should be getting the direction and the 'person vs object' distinction right. Once those are internalized, you'll sound much more natural and avoid the most glaring errors.

While もっていく (motte iku) is the most versatile way to say "take," Japanese offers several alternatives depending on the context, the object being moved, and the level of formality. Understanding these can help you choose the most precise word for the situation. The most important contrast is with motte kuru, which we've discussed as the 'bring' counterpart. But what about other ways to 'take' or 'carry'? Let's look at hakobu (運ぶ), jisan suru (持参する), and tsurete iku (連れていく).

Hakobu (運ぶ)

Means 'to transport' or 'to carry.' It focuses on the physical effort of moving something, often something heavy or in large quantities. Unlike 'motte iku', it doesn't always emphasize the destination as much as the process of moving.

Jisan suru (持参する)

A formal Sino-Japanese (Kango) word meaning 'to bring/take along.' You often see this in formal invitations: 'O-nomimono wa go-jisan kudasai' (Please bring your own drinks). It’s the professional version of 'motte kuru/iku'.

Another interesting alternative is mochidasu (持ち出す). This specifically means 'to take out' or 'to carry out,' often from a building or a specific area. It’s frequently used in contexts where taking something might be restricted, like "Please do not take books out of the library" (hon o mochidasa-nai de kudasai). While motte iku is general, mochidasu highlights the act of crossing a boundary from inside to outside. Similarly, mochikaeru (持ち帰る) means 'to take home' or 'to take back.' This is what you say when you want your leftovers in a 'doggy bag' or when ordering 'to go' at a fast-food joint.

For people, as mentioned before, tsurete iku is the mandatory alternative. But there's also okuru (送る), which means 'to send' or 'to see someone off/take someone home.' If you are driving a friend home, you would say kuruma de okuru yo. This 'take' implies a service or a gesture of kindness. Furthermore, motte iku can sometimes be replaced by more specific verbs of motion if the 'carrying' part is secondary. If you just 'go' with something in your pocket, iku might suffice, but motte iku adds that necessary detail of possession and transport.

Mochikaeru (持ち帰る)

Take home/back. Essential for restaurants and borrowing items.

Tsurete iku (連れていく)

Take a person/animal. Never use 'motte iku' for living beings!

In conclusion, while motte iku is your 'Swiss Army knife' for taking things, being aware of hakobu for heavy lifting, jisan suru for formal bringing, and mochikaeru for taking things back will make your Japanese much more nuanced. And of course, never forget the golden rule: objects are 'motte', people are 'tsurete'.