Introduction
Learning Japanese involves mastering various verb forms that can be tricky to differentiate. Two important forms you will encounter are “-てくる (tekuru)” and “-ていく (teiku).” Both express directions of movement or changes over time, but they are used differently. Let’s explore how to use “-tekuru” and “-teiku” correctly.
-てくる (tekuru)
“-てくる (tekuru)” is used to describe things or actions that are coming towards the speaker, both physically and psychologically. It can also indicate changes that have occurred up to the present.
Example of “-てくる (tekuru)”:
- 毎日、６時ごろ家に帰ってきます。 (Mainichi, roku-ji goro ie ni kaette kimasu.) – I come home around 6 o’clock every day.
The house is within the speaker’s territory, so “-tekuru” is used.
- これまで日本語の勉強をがんばってきました。 (Kore made nihongo no benkyou o ganbatte kimashita.) – I have been studying Japanese hard up to now.
This indicates the effort put into studying Japanese up until the present moment. (Time towards the present.)
- 最近、太ってきました。 (Saikin, futotte kimashita.) – I have started gaining weight recently.
Changes that have occurred up to the present.
-ていく (teiku)
“-ていく (teiku)” is used to describe things or actions that are moving away from the speaker, both physically and psychologically. It can also indicate changes that will happen from the present into the future.
Example of “-ていく (teiku)”:
- 毎日、駅まで歩いていきます。 (Mainichi, eki made aruite ikimasu.) – I walk to the station every day.
The station is away from the speaker’s territory, so “-teiku” is used.
- これからも日本語の勉強をがんばっていきます。 (Kore kara mo nihongo no benkyou o ganbatte ikimasu.) – I will continue to study Japanese hard from now on.
This indicates the effort that will be put into studying Japanese from the present moment into the future. (Time from the present to the future.)
- 老人の数が増えていきます。 (Roujin no kazu ga fuete ikimasu.) – The number of elderly people will continue to increase.
Changes that will happen from the present into the future.
Note
When using perceptive verbs like “見る (miru)” (to see), only “てくる (tekuru)” can be used. For example, 「橋が見えてきた！」 (Hashi ga miete kita!) – “I can see the bridge coming into view!” cannot be replaced with “ていく (teiku).”
Conclusion
Understanding when to use “-てくる (tekuru)” and “-ていく (teiku)” is important for proper communication in Japanese. Remember, “-てくる (tekuru)” is used when things or situations are coming towards the speaker or changing up to the present, while “-ていく (teiku)” is used when things or situations are moving away from the speaker or changing from now into the future.
