Introduction
Learning Japanese can be fun but also challenging, especially when it comes to understanding verbs that describe movement. Two important verbs you’ll often use are “Iku” (行く) and “Kuru” (来る). These words might seem similar, but they are used in different situations. Let’s explore how to use “Iku” and “Kuru” correctly.
Iku (行く)
“Iku” means “to go” and is used when you are moving away from the speaker.
Example of “Iku”:
私は学校に行きます (Watashi wa gakkou ni ikimasu.)
I am going to school.
In this example, you are moving away from your current location to go to school. So, “iku” is the right word to use.
Kuru (来る)
“Kuru” means “to come” and is used when someone is moving toward the place where the speaker is.
Example of “Kuru”:
友達が私の家に来きます。(Tomodachi ga watashi no ie ni kimasu.)
My friend is coming to my house.
In this example, your friend is moving toward the place where you (speaker) are, so “kuru” is the right word to use.
Note
A common mistake is using “kuru” when you should use “iku.” For example, in English, you might say “I am coming to school” when talking to someone at school. However, in Japanese, you should say “I am going to school” (学校に行きます) because you (speaker) are moving away from where you are to the school.
Conclusion
Understanding when to use “Iku” and “Kuru” is important for proper communication in Japanese. Remember, use “Iku” (行く) when speaker is moving away from where they are, and use “Kuru” (来る) when someone is moving towards where the speaker is.
