〜ていく
This grammatical structure shows an action continuing into the future or a gradual change moving away from the speaker.
Explanation at your level:
Hi there! Let's learn about 〜ていく. It's like saying something will happen next or keep happening. Imagine a flower: it starts small and then grows bigger. We can say the flower grow-goes (咲いていく - saite iku) bigger! It's a way to talk about things that change slowly or move away from you. Like, if you walk away, you are walk-going (歩いていく - aruite iku). It's simple and helps us talk about the future!
The grammar point 〜ていく is used after the te-form of a verb to show that an action will continue into the future or that a change will happen gradually. For example, 暖かくなっていく (atatakaku natte iku) means 'it will gradually become warmer'. It can also show movement away from the speaker, like 友達が家を出ていく (tomodachi ga ie o dete iku) - 'my friend is leaving the house'. This helps describe ongoing processes and future events.
〜ていく is a versatile auxiliary verb construction used with the te-form of a main verb. It primarily indicates a progression over time, either a continuation of an action into the future or a gradual change. For example, 技術が進んでいく (gijutsu ga susunde iku) means 'technology will continue to advance'.
It also conveys movement away from the speaker's location or perspective. Consider 子供たちが成長していく (kodomotachi ga seichou shite iku) – 'the children will grow up'. This form adds a dynamic sense of development and future unfolding to your sentences, making your descriptions more vivid.
The 〜ていく construction, formed by the te-form of a verb plus いく (iku), signifies a process unfolding over time, often implying a movement away from the speaker's current state or location. This can represent a future continuation of an action, a gradual transformation, or a physical departure.
For instance, この問題は複雑になっていく一方だ (kono mondai wa fukuzatsu ni natte iku ippou da) highlights a trend of increasing complexity. The nuance lies in the sense of progression and distance. It's crucial to distinguish this from 〜てくる (te kuru), which indicates movement towards the speaker or a change that has an impact on the present.
The auxiliary verb phrase 〜ていく serves to denote a temporal progression or a spatial movement away from the speaker's frame of reference. Its application extends beyond simple future tense, encompassing gradual changes, ongoing developments, and the unfolding of events over an extended period.
For example, 社会の価値観は変化していく (shakai no kachikan wa henka shite iku) illustrates a societal shift. The construction implies a trajectory, a path taken by the subject. Understanding its subtle contrast with 〜てくる (movement towards the speaker) is vital for grasping nuanced expressions of time and directionality in Japanese.
The grammatical construct 〜ていく represents a complex interplay of aspectuality and directionality. It denotes a process that unfolds over time, characterized by continuity, gradual transformation, or a vector moving away from the speaker's spatio-temporal locus. This can manifest as an action continuing into the future, a state evolving, or a physical displacement.
Its semantic range is broad, encompassing notions of natural progression (e.g., 季節が移り変わっていく - kisetsu ga utsurikawatte iku - seasons change), the accumulation of effects (e.g., 借金が増えていく - shakkin ga fuete iku - debts increase), or even abstract development. Mastery involves recognizing its idiomatic uses and its role in conveying subtle temporal and directional nuances, often contrasting implicitly or explicitly with the convergent aspect of 〜てくる.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 〜ていく = Verb (te-form) + 'to go'.
- Indicates continuation, gradual change, or movement AWAY from speaker.
- Often describes future actions or unfolding processes.
- Contrast with 〜てくる (movement TOWARDS speaker).
Hey there! Let's dive into the super useful Japanese grammar point: 〜ていく (te iku). Think of it as a way to show that something is going to continue, change gradually, or move away from you. It's like a little arrow pointing towards the future or a distant place!
We use it after the te-form of a verb. For example, if you want to say 'to eat' (食べる - taberu), its te-form is 食べて (tabete). So, 食べていく (tabete iku) could mean 'to continue eating' or 'to eat and go (away)'. It adds a sense of progression or direction to the main verb's action.
It’s a fundamental way to express ongoing actions or changes, making your Japanese sound much more natural and dynamic. We’ll explore how it works with different verbs and in various situations, so get ready to add this to your grammar toolkit!
The structure 〜ていく comes from combining the te-form of a verb with the verb 行く (iku), which literally means 'to go'. Historically, verbs in Japanese often combined to create new meanings, and this is a prime example.
Initially, it likely had a more literal sense of 'doing something and then going'. However, language evolves! Over time, the 'going' aspect became more abstract. It started to represent a movement away from the speaker's current state or location, and then further generalized to indicate a continuation of an action or a gradual change unfolding over time.
Think about how English uses 'go on' or 'carry on' to mean continue. Similarly, 〜ていく uses the concept of 'going' to signify progression. It's a beautiful example of how concrete actions can develop into abstract grammatical functions, enriching the expressive power of the language.
The 〜ていく form is incredibly versatile! Its core function is to show an action continuing into the future or a process of change. For instance, 桜が咲いていく (sakura ga saite iku) means 'the cherry blossoms will gradually bloom'. Notice the sense of gradual change and future progression.
It can also indicate movement away from the speaker. If you see someone 歩いていく (aruite iku), they are 'walking away'. This is a more literal use, but still common. The context is key!
Common collocations include verbs related to growth, change, and future actions. Think of 増えていく (fuete iku - to increase), 減っていく (hette iku - to decrease), 変わっていく (kawatte iku - to change), or 進んでいく (susunde iku - to proceed/advance). Mastering these will significantly boost your fluency!
While 〜ていく is a grammatical structure rather than a standalone word, it's integral to many common expressions that function idiomatically. These phrases often carry nuanced meanings beyond the literal combination of the verb and 'iku'.
1. 時が経っていく (toki ga tatte iku): This means 'time passes by'. It emphasizes the continuous and often unstoppable flow of time. Example: あっという間に時が経っていく。 (Atto iu ma ni toki ga tatte iku. - Time passes by in the blink of an eye.)
2. 事が運んでいく (koto ga hakonde iku): This phrase means 'things proceed' or 'affairs move along'. It describes how a situation or event unfolds over time. Example: 計画通りに事が運んでいくことを願っています。 (Keikaku doori ni koto ga hakonde iku koto o negatte imasu. - I hope things proceed according to plan.)
3. 〜なくなっていく (~nakunatte iku): This is a pattern where the negative te-form of a verb + 'iku' implies something is gradually disappearing or ceasing to exist. Example: 昔ながらの商店が減っていく。 (Mukashi nagara no shouten ga hette iku. - Old-fashioned shops are gradually disappearing.)
4. 〜ていく一方だ (~te iku ippou da): This pattern means 'to continue to do X without end' or 'to only do X and move forward'. It highlights an unending trend. Example: 物価は上がっていく一方だ。 (Bukka wa agatte iku ippou da. - Prices only continue to rise.)
5. 〜ていくものだ (~te iku mono da): This expresses a general truth or a natural course of events. Example: 人は皆、老いていくものだ。 (Hito wa mina, oite iku mono da. - All people grow old eventually.)
The core grammar of 〜ていく involves attaching it to the te-form of a verb. Remember, the te-form is created by following specific conjugation rules depending on the verb group (ichidan, godan, irregular). For example, taberu (to eat) becomes tabete, and suru (to do) becomes shite.
Pronunciation: The pronunciation is straightforward. 'Te' is pronounced like the English word 'tay', and 'iku' is pronounced like 'ee-koo'. So, it's 'tay-ee-koo'. When spoken quickly in natural conversation, the 'i' sound in 'iku' can sometimes be reduced, sounding closer to 'te-ku'. Pay attention to the stress, which generally falls on the first syllable of the main verb and the first syllable of 'iku'.
Variations: You can conjugate 'iku' itself to change the tense or politeness level. For example, 〜ていった (te itta) is the past tense, 〜ていきます (te ikimasu) is the polite present/future form, and 〜ていきたい (te ikitai) expresses a desire to do something and continue it. Understanding these variations is crucial for expressing yourself accurately.
Fun Fact
The concept of 'going' evolving to mean 'continuing' or 'changing' is seen in other languages too, like English 'go on' or French 'aller'.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'tay ee-koo', with a slight emphasis on the first syllable of each part.
Similar to British pronunciation, 'tay ee-koo'. In natural speech, the 'i' in 'iku' might be reduced, sounding like 'te-ku'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'iku' too distinctly, making it sound robotic.
- Incorrect stress, placing too much emphasis on the second part.
- Not reducing the vowel sound in 'iku' in faster speech.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Requires understanding of te-form and the auxiliary's meaning.
Correct conjugation and contextual nuance are important.
Natural usage requires practice.
Recognizing the nuance in natural speech takes practice.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb Te-form Conjugation
食べる (taberu) -> 食べて (tabete)
〜てくる (Te Kuru)
空が明るくなってきた (Sora ga akaruku natte kita. - The sky is getting brighter.)
〜てしまう (Te Shimau)
宿題を全部やってしまった (Shukudai o zenbu yatte shimatta. - I finished all the homework.)
Examples by Level
花が咲いていく。
flower + particle + bloom + go.
Verb te-form + いく shows gradual change.
雨が降っていく。
rain + particle + fall + go.
Indicates movement away.
子供が大きくなっていく。
child + particle + big + become + go.
Shows gradual change over time.
バスが去っていく。
bus + particle + leave + go.
Movement away from the speaker.
道ができていく。
road + particle + made + go.
Continuous action of creation.
時間が過ぎていく。
time + particle + pass + go.
Time passing continuously.
星が見えていく。
star + particle + visible + become + go.
Gradual appearance.
車が走っていく。
car + particle + run + go.
Movement away from observer.
この町はどんどん変わっていく。
this + town + particle + rapidly + change + go.
〜ていく emphasizes gradual change over time.
彼は将来、医者になっていくでしょう。
he + future + doctor + become + go + particle + probably.
Expresses a future progression or goal.
古い建物が壊されていく。
old + building + particle + break + passive + go.
Passive voice with 〜ていく shows a process happening.
新しい技術が生まれていく。
new + technology + particle + be born + go.
Indicates the emergence and development of new things.
物語は続いていく。
story + particle + continue + go.
Shows the continuation of an action or narrative.
寒さがだんだん増していく。
coldness + particle + gradually + increase + go.
Describes a gradual increase in intensity.
子供たちは外へ遊びに行っていく。
children + particle + outside + particle + play + go + go.
Compound verb 'te-form' + 'iku' for movement away.
この問題は解決されていくはずだ。
this + problem + particle + solve + passive + go + particle + should be.
Implies a process towards resolution.
時代の変化とともに、人々の考え方も変わっていく。
era + particle + change + together + people + way of thinking + particle + change + go.
〜ていく highlights gradual societal change.
彼は新しいプロジェクトに挑戦し、成功への道を歩んでいく。
he + new + project + particle + challenge + and + success + towards + road + particle + walk + go.
Expresses progression towards a future goal.
自然環境は年々悪化していく傾向にある。
natural environment + particle + year by year + worsen + go + tendency + particle + exist.
Indicates a worsening trend over time.
その知らせを聞いて、彼の表情は次第に暗くなっていった。
that + news + hear + his + expression + particle + gradually + dark + become + go + past tense.
Past tense 〜ていった shows a change that occurred.
この技術は今後ますます発展していくことだろう。
this + technology + particle + from now on + more and more + develop + go + particle + probably.
Predicts future development and advancement.
卒業後、皆それぞれの道へと進んでいく。
after graduation + everyone + each + road + towards + proceed + go.
Shows individuals moving towards separate futures.
経験を積むにつれて、彼のスキルは向上していく。
experience + particle + accumulate + as + his + skill + particle + improve + go.
Describes improvement as a result of experience.
古い習慣が忘れ去られていくのは、時代の流れだから仕方ない。
old + custom + particle + be forgotten + go + particle + era + particle + flow + because + cannot be helped.
Implies a natural, inevitable fading away.
グローバル化が進むにつれて、異文化理解の重要性は増していく。
globalization + particle + advance + as + foreign culture + understanding + importance + particle + increase + go.
Highlights the increasing importance of a concept.
AI技術の発展は、私たちの生活様式を根本から変えていく可能性がある。
AI technology + particle + development + particle + our + lifestyle + particle + root + from + change + go + possibility + particle + exist.
Suggests a profound, transformative change.
経済状況の悪化は、社会不安をさらに煽っていくかもしれない。
economic situation + particle + worsening + particle + social anxiety + further + fan + go + particle + might.
Implies a negative feedback loop or exacerbation.
彼の音楽は、聴く者の心に深く染み込んでいくような力を持っている。
his + music + particle + listener + particle + heart + particle + deeply + soak into + go + like + power + particle + possess.
Metaphorical use suggesting deep emotional impact.
失われゆく伝統技術を、次世代に継承していく努力が求められている。
be lost + go + go + traditional technology + next generation + particle + inherit + go + effort + particle + required + particle + exist.
Emphasizes the effort needed to preserve something fading away.
情報化社会においては、情報の真偽を見極めながら取捨選択していく能力が不可欠だ。
information society + in + information + particle + truth/falsehood + discern + while + select/reject + go + ability + particle + essential.
Describes a necessary skill for dealing with information flow.
環境問題への意識の高まりは、持続可能な社会へと私たちを導いていくであろう。
environmental problems + towards + awareness + particle + rising + particle + sustainable + society + towards + us + lead + go + particle + will be.
Suggests a guiding force towards a future state.
歴史の教訓を忘れずに、未来に向けて歩んでいくことが重要だ。
history + particle + lessons + particle + not forget + future + towards + walk + go + particle + important.
Combines reflection on the past with forward momentum.
デジタル化の波は、既存の産業構造を根底から覆し、新たなビジネスモデルが生まれていく潮流を生み出している。
digitalization + particle + wave + particle + existing + industry structure + particle + root + from + overturn + new + business model + particle + be born + go + trend + particle + creating + particle + exist.
Highlights a fundamental, transformative shift driven by a trend.
彼の芸術は、観る者の内面世界に静かに、しかし確実に浸透し、自己探求の旅へと誘っていく。
his + art + particle + viewer + particle + inner world + particle + quietly + but + surely + penetrate + gradually + self + exploration + journey + towards + invite + go.
Metaphorical use implying a deep, introspective journey initiated by the art.
グローバル・サウスの台頭は、国際秩序の再編を促し、多極化していく世界情勢を加速させる要因となっている。
Global South + particle + rise + particle + international order + particle + reorganization + encourage + multipolar + go + world situation + particle + accelerate + factor + particle + become + exist.
Describes a geopolitical shift towards a more complex, multipolar structure.
失われつつある言語の保存は、単なる文化遺産の保護にとどまらず、多様な人類の知恵を未来へと繋いでいく営みである。
be lost + particle + go + language + particle + preservation + particle + mere + cultural heritage + particle + protection + not stop + diverse + humanity + particle + wisdom + particle + future + towards + connect + go + activity + particle + exist.
Elevates the act of preservation to a vital connection with future wisdom.
テクノロジーの進化は、人間の知性を拡張する可能性を秘めているが、同時に、それらに依存しすぎて自己の思考力を鈍らせていく危険性も孕んでいる。
technology + particle + evolution + particle + human + intelligence + particle + expand + possibility + particle + hide + but + at the same time + them + rely on + too much + self + thinking ability + particle + dull + go + danger + particle + also + contain.
Presents a duality of progress and potential regression.
教育現場では、生徒一人ひとりの個性を尊重し、それぞれの可能性を最大限に引き出していくための試行錯誤が続けられている。
education site + particle + student + each person + particle + individuality + particle + respect + each + possibility + particle + maximum + draw out + go + for the purpose of + trial and error + particle + continue + particle + exist.
Focuses on the ongoing, adaptive process of personalized education.
気候変動の影響は、私たちの想像を超える速度で地球全体に波及し、生態系のバランスを不可逆的に変化させていく恐れがある。
climate change + particle + effect + particle + our + imagination + exceed + speed + particle + Earth + entire + ripple effect + and + ecosystem + particle + balance + particle + irreversibly + change + go + fear + particle + exist.
Emphasizes the alarming speed and irreversible nature of environmental changes.
文学作品は、時代を超えて読み継がれ、人間の普遍的な感情や経験を共有することで、読者の精神性を豊かにしていく触媒となる。
literary works + particle + time + exceed + read continuously + and + human + particle + universal + emotion + and + experience + particle + share + by means of + reader + particle + spirituality + enrich + go + catalyst + particle + become.
Positions literature as a catalyst for spiritual enrichment across generations.
ポストコロニアル理論の観点からは、かつての被支配民族が自己のアイデンティティを再構築し、西洋中心主義的な歴史観から脱却していく過程が克明に描かれる。
postcolonial theory + particle + viewpoint + from + former + formerly colonized people + self + particle + identity + particle + reconstruct + multipolar + go + Western-centric + historical view + from + break free + go + process + particle + meticulously + depict + particle + exist.
Analyzes the complex process of decolonization and identity formation.
現代アートにおいては、既存の美学的な規範に挑戦し、観る者の認識の枠組みを揺さぶり、新たな美的経験へと導いていく実験的な試みが絶えず行われている。
contemporary art + in + existing + aesthetic + norms + particle + challenge + viewer + particle + perception + particle + framework + particle + shake + new + aesthetic experience + towards + lead + go + experimental + attempts + particle + constantly + carried out + particle + exist.
Describes the avant-garde's role in pushing boundaries and redefining aesthetics.
経済格差の拡大は、社会の分断を深め、ポピュリズムの台頭を助長することで、民主主義の基盤を静かに侵食していく危険性をはらんでいる。
economic disparity + particle + expansion + particle + society + particle + division + deepen + populism + particle + rise + encourage + by means of + democracy + particle + foundation + particle + quietly + erode + go + danger + particle + contain.
Highlights the insidious threat posed by inequality to democratic structures.
言語の変遷を言語学的に考察すると、社会構造の変化や文化交流の様相が反映され、言語が時代とともに変容し、新たな表現形式を生み出していくダイナミズムが明らかになる。
language + particle + transition + particle + linguistically + examine + language + particle + social structure + particle + change + cultural exchange + particle + aspects + particle + reflect + language + particle + era + together + transform + new + expression forms + create + go + dynamism + particle + become clear.
Illustrates the dynamic relationship between language evolution and societal change.
持続可能な開発目標（SDGs）の達成に向けた国際社会の取り組みは、地球規模の課題に包括的に対処し、より公正で包摂的な未来へと人類を導いていくための羅針盤となる。
sustainable development goals + particle + achievement + towards + international society + particle + efforts + particle + global scale + particle + problems + particle + comprehensively + address + more just + inclusive + future + towards + humanity + lead + go + for the purpose of + compass + particle + become.
Frames global initiatives as guiding principles for a better future.
人間の意識の複雑性を解明しようとする試みは、神経科学、心理学、哲学など多岐にわたる学問分野を横断し、相互に影響を与え合いながら、意識の根源的なメカニズムを解き明かしていく。
human + particle + consciousness + particle + complexity + particle + unravel + try + particle + neuroscience + psychology + philosophy + etc. + diverse + academic fields + cross + mutually + influence + give each other + while + consciousness + particle + fundamental + mechanism + particle + unravel + go.
Depicts the interdisciplinary nature of research into consciousness.
歴史的文書の解読と分析を通じて、過去の社会における権力構造や人々の生活様式が徐々に明らかになり、現代社会への示唆を与えていく。
historical documents + particle + decipherment + and + analysis + through + past + society + in + power structure + and + people + particle + lifestyle + particle + gradually + become clear + and + modern society + towards + suggestions + give + go.
Shows how historical analysis illuminates the past and informs the present.
絶え間なく変化する情報環境の中で、批判的思考力を涵養し、情報の真偽を的確に見極めながら、主体的に知識を構築していく能力こそが、これからの時代に求められる。
unceasingly + change + information environment + in + critical thinking ability + cultivate + information + particle + truth/falsehood + accurately + discern + while + proactively + knowledge + particle + construct + go + ability + precisely + from now on + era + particle + required.
Emphasizes the critical need for proactive knowledge construction in a complex information age.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"時が経っていく (toki ga tatte iku)"
Time passes by.
あっという間に時が経っていくね。(Atto iu ma ni toki ga tatte iku ne. - Time flies, doesn't it?)
neutral"〜ていく一方だ (te iku ippou da)"
To continue to do X without end; to only do X and move forward (often implying an undesirable trend).
物価は上がっていく一方だ。(Bukka wa agatte iku ippou da. - Prices only continue to rise.)
neutral"〜ていくものだ (te iku mono da)"
It is natural for X to happen; expresses a general truth.
子供は皆、成長していくものだ。(Kodomo wa mina, seichou shite iku mono da. - All children grow up eventually.)
neutral"事が運んでいく (koto ga hakonde iku)"
Things proceed; affairs move along.
物事が計画通りに運んでいくことを願う。(Monogoto ga keikaku doori ni hakonde iku koto o negau. - I hope things proceed according to plan.)
neutral"〜なくなっていく (~nakunatte iku)"
Gradually disappearing or ceasing to exist.
昔ながらの文化がなくなっていく。(Mukashi nagara no bunka ga nakunatte iku. - Traditional culture is gradually disappearing.)
neutral"〜ていくばかりだ (te iku bakari da)"
To only do X and continue, with no other option or change in sight.
彼は心配していくばかりだ。(Kare wa shinpai shite iku bakari da. - He can only worry about it.)
neutralEasily Confused
Both are auxiliary verbs following the te-form and relate to movement/change.
〜ていく is movement AWAY from speaker/future/distant change. 〜てくる is movement TOWARDS speaker/present impact/change affecting speaker.
船が去っていく。(Fune ga satte iku. - The ship is leaving (moving away).) 船が近づいてくる。(Fune ga chikazuite kuru. - The ship is approaching (moving towards me).)
Both indicate continuation.
〜続ける focuses on the persistence of the action itself. 〜ていく focuses on the progression over time or movement away.
勉強し続ける。(Benkyou shi tsuzukeru. - To continue studying (without stopping).) 勉強していく。(Benkyou shite iku. - To study (and apply it in the future/move forward with it).)
Both follow the te-form and can indicate completion or a change of state.
〜てしまう often implies completion, regret, or doing something fully. 〜ていく implies continuation, progression, or movement away.
本を読んでしまう。(Hon o yonde shimau. - To finish reading the book (perhaps regrettably). 本を読んでいく。(Hon o yonde iku. - To read the book (and continue doing so, or read it as part of a larger plan).)
It's a common pattern derived from 〜ていく.
〜ていく is the base form indicating progression. 〜ていくものだ adds the nuance of a general truth or natural course of events.
花が咲いていく。(Hana ga saite iku. - The flowers are blooming (process).) 花は咲いていくものだ。(Hana wa saite iku mono da. - Flowers naturally bloom (general truth).)
Sentence Patterns
Verb (te-form) + いく
子供たちが成長していく。(Kodomotachi ga seichou shite iku. - The children will grow up.)
Adjective (stem) + く + なっていく
空が暗くなっていく。(Sora ga kuraku natte iku. - The sky is getting dark.)
Verb (te-form) + いく + 一方だ
問題は増えていく一方だ。(Mondai wa fuete iku ippou da. - The problems are only increasing.)
Verb (te-form) + ていく + ものだ
時は流れていくものだ。(Toki wa nagarete iku mono da. - Time flows on; it's the natural way of things.)
Verb (te-form) + ていく + ようにする
毎日運動していくようにします。(Mainichi undou shite iku you ni shimasu. - I will try to exercise every day (implying future habit).)
Word Family
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
〜ていく implies departure or future development, while 〜てくる implies arrival or present impact.
It denotes progression, not finality. 〜ていった means 'went on doing' or 'changed gradually (in the past)'.
〜ていく adds a layer of meaning; don't use it when a plain future statement is intended.
Errors in the te-form (e.g., for godan verbs) will lead to incorrect overall grammar.
It emphasizes a process or movement, which might not fit verbs describing a static state.
Tips
Visualize the Direction
Always imagine a direction: either away from you (like a car driving off) or forward in time (like a plant growing). This helps distinguish 〜ていく from 〜てくる.
Describe Natural Changes
Use 〜ていく to describe natural phenomena like seasons changing, flowers blooming, or a child growing up. It makes your descriptions sound very natural.
The Flow of Time
Japanese culture often emphasizes the passage of time and the beauty of transient things (mono no aware). 〜ていく captures this sense of flow and change beautifully.
Te-form First!
Remember, the key is always to correctly form the te-form of the main verb before adding いく. Practice your te-forms!
Smooth Connection
In natural speech, try to connect 'te' and 'iku' smoothly. The 'i' in 'iku' can sometimes be very light, almost like 'te-ku'.
Avoid Static States
Be careful using 〜ていく with verbs that describe a completely static state. It's best for actions or changes that are in progress.
From Literal to Abstract
The verb 'iku' (to go) has moved from a literal meaning of physical movement to an abstract grammatical function indicating progression over time and space.
Contextual Sentences
Create your own sentences describing things happening around you or in the future. The more you use it in context, the better you'll understand its nuances.
〜ていく vs 〜てくる
Make flashcards comparing 〜ていく (away/future) and 〜てくる (towards/present impact) with example sentences for each.
Journaling Prompt
Write a short journal entry about your goals for the next year using at least three different 〜ていく constructions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Picture yourself walking <strong>away</strong> from a starting line (the 'te' part) and continuing <strong>onward</strong> (the 'iku' part). You are moving forward, away from where you began.
Visual Association
Imagine a plant growing taller and taller, reaching towards the sky and away from the ground. The plant is <em>growing-going</em> (育っていく - sodatte iku).
Word Web
Challenge
Try describing three things you see outside your window that are changing or moving away from you, using 〜ていく.
Word Origin
Japanese
Original meaning: To do (verb te-form) and go.
Cultural Context
No specific cultural sensitivities, but the nuance of 'moving away' can sometimes imply loss or departure, depending on context.
In English, similar concepts are expressed using phrases like 'to continue', 'to go on', 'to develop', 'to grow', or 'to move away'. The Japanese 〜ていく captures these nuances concisely.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Describing nature and seasons
- 桜が咲いていく (Sakura ga saite iku) - Cherry blossoms bloom.
- 葉が落ちていく (Ha ga ochite iku) - Leaves fall.
- 季節が変わっていく (Kisetsu ga kawatte iku) - The seasons change.
Talking about personal growth and future plans
- 夢を追いかけていく (Yume o oikakete iku) - To chase after one's dreams.
- 新しいことに挑戦していく (Atarashii koto ni chousen shite iku) - To take on new challenges.
- 将来、〜になっていく (Shourai, ~ni natte iku) - In the future, I will become ~.
Observing societal or technological changes
- 社会が変わっていく (Shakai ga kawatte iku) - Society is changing.
- 技術が進んでいく (Gijutsu ga susunde iku) - Technology is advancing.
- 考え方が変わっていく (Kangaekata ga kawatte iku) - Ways of thinking are changing.
Describing physical movement away
- 駅へ歩いていく (Eki e aruite iku) - To walk to the station.
- 船が港を出ていく (Fune ga minato o dete iku) - The ship is leaving the harbor.
- 子供が家から出ていく (Kodomo ga ie kara dete iku) - The child is leaving home.
Conversation Starters
"What changes do you expect to see in the world in the next 10 years? (〜ていく)"
"How do you think your life will change after you graduate? (〜ていく)"
"Describe a natural process you observe, like a plant growing or seasons changing, using 〜ていく."
"What steps are you taking to achieve your long-term goals? (〜ていく)"
"Think about a tradition from your culture that is fading away. How would you describe that using 〜ていく?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a personal goal and how you plan to work towards it using 〜ていく.
Describe the changes you've observed in your city or town over the past few years using 〜ていく.
Reflect on how your own perspective or understanding has evolved over time, using 〜ていく.
Imagine you are looking into the future. What do you see happening in the world? Use 〜ていく to describe these future developments.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions〜ていく indicates movement away from the speaker or a change happening in the distance/future. 〜てくる indicates movement towards the speaker or a change that affects the speaker now. Think 'go' vs 'come'.
Yes, the past tense is 〜ていった (te itta). For example, 桜が咲いていった (Sakura ga saite itta) means 'The cherry blossoms bloomed (and continued to do so, implying a past progression)'.
Not strictly. It describes a process unfolding over time. While often future-oriented, it can describe gradual changes happening now or even in the past (using 〜ていった) if the focus is on the process.
It's most commonly used with action verbs (e.g., 食べる, 歩く) and verbs indicating change (e.g., 変わる, 増える). It emphasizes the process or continuation of the action/change.
〜続ける emphasizes the continuation of an action itself, often with persistence. 〜ていく emphasizes the progression, change over time, or movement away from the speaker.
Yes, often by turning the adjective into a verb using 〜くなる (ku naru) or 〜になる (ni naru). For example, 暖かくなっていく (atatakaku natte iku - it's gradually getting warmer).
This phrase implies a trend that continues in only one direction, often suggesting something undesirable or unstoppable, like 'prices only go up'.
Yes, it's a standard grammatical form used in both spoken and written Japanese. More formal contexts might use 〜ていくことでしょう for predictions, but the core structure is common.
Test Yourself
The sun is setting and the sky is ______.
〜ていく is used for gradual change, like the sky getting darker as the sun sets.
Which sentence best describes a gradual increase?
雪が積もっていく (Yuki ga tsumotte iku) means 'snow is piling up', showing a gradual increase.
The phrase 〜ていく can only be used for physical movement away from the speaker.
While it can indicate physical movement, 〜ていく is more broadly used for gradual changes and future progressions.
Word
Meaning
Adding 〜ていく emphasizes the ongoing, gradual nature of the change or progression.
The correct sentence is 私たちは未来に向かって進んでいく (Watashitachi wa mirai ni mukatte susunde iku) - 'We will proceed towards the future.'
この問題はますます複雑に ______。
The adverb 'ますます' (increasingly) suggests a continuing process, making 〜なっていく the most suitable choice.
Which sentence implies a trend that is unlikely to reverse?
〜ていく一方だ strongly suggests a one-directional trend, often with negative implications.
環境問題への意識は高まり ______。
While 'tsuzukete iru' is possible, 'hirogette iku' better captures the sense of spreading awareness over time and space.
Translate: 'The old customs are gradually fading away.'
消えていく (kiete iku) effectively conveys the gradual disappearance.
In the context of technological advancement, which phrase best captures the idea of 'continuous innovation'?
発展していく (hatten shite iku) implies ongoing, dynamic development and progress over time, fitting 'continuous innovation'.
Score: /10
Summary
〜ていく adds a sense of ongoing progression, gradual change, or movement away from the speaker, making your Japanese dynamic and descriptive.
- 〜ていく = Verb (te-form) + 'to go'.
- Indicates continuation, gradual change, or movement AWAY from speaker.
- Often describes future actions or unfolding processes.
- Contrast with 〜てくる (movement TOWARDS speaker).
Visualize the Direction
Always imagine a direction: either away from you (like a car driving off) or forward in time (like a plant growing). This helps distinguish 〜ていく from 〜てくる.
Describe Natural Changes
Use 〜ていく to describe natural phenomena like seasons changing, flowers blooming, or a child growing up. It makes your descriptions sound very natural.
The Flow of Time
Japanese culture often emphasizes the passage of time and the beauty of transient things (mono no aware). 〜ていく captures this sense of flow and change beautifully.
Te-form First!
Remember, the key is always to correctly form the te-form of the main verb before adding いく. Practice your te-forms!
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