に行く

to go to (something)

Build a strong foundation of Japanese with a high-frequency grammar and real-world phrases.

に行く is a foundational Japanese expression used to indicate purposeful movement—going somewhere with the intention of doing something. It combines the stem form of a verb with the particle に, followed by 行く (to go). This construction is versatile and widely used in daily conversations to describe errands, plans, or activities.

The phrase adapts seamlessly to other motion verbs like 来る (to come) or 帰る (to return), allowing speakers to specify the direction of movement with a clear purpose. By emphasizing intentional action, に行く helps convey plans or activities involving travel to specific locations, making it a vital structure in Japanese communication.

Structure

Verb［ます］+ に + 行く

Verb［ます］+ に + 行きます (polite)

Verb［ます］+ に + 行った (past)

Verb［ます］+ に + 行かない (negative form)

Verb［ます］+ に + 行きたい

Level

Key uses

1. Expressing purpose-driven movement

に行く is used to describe moving toward a location with a specific purpose or intention, typically expressed by the verb preceding に.

[ Additional Insight ]

This usage emphasizes the reason for going somewhere and is very common in everyday speech. It connects the verb's action with the destination, making it clear why the speaker is going. To adapt this structure for past or future actions, adjust the conjugation of 行く, as in 行った (went) or 行きます (will go).

2. Describing leisure activities

It is frequently used to describe outings or leisure activities, providing a casual and natural way to express these purposes.

[ Additional Insight ]

This usage allows for easy and natural expressions of social or recreational plans. It creates a smooth conversational flow when discussing personal schedules, making it a staple of casual Japanese.

3. Making casual invitations

に行く can also be paired with question forms or volitional forms to invite someone to join in an activity or outing.

[ Additional Insight ]

Adding a casual question tone makes the sentence feel friendly and inviting. This structure is ideal for making simple, spontaneous plans, especially with close friends or acquaintances.

4. Highlighting regular or planned actions

It can describe habitual or planned actions, adding a sense of routine or predictability to the statement.

[ Additional Insight ]

Using に行く for habitual actions reinforces a sense of regularity or dedication to the activity. It’s often paired with time expressions like 毎週 (every week) or 毎日 (every day) for additional clarity.

5. Modifying with motion verbs like 来る and 帰る

Instead of 行く, you can use motion verbs like 来る (to come) or 帰る (to return) to describe movements toward or away from the speaker's perspective while still maintaining the purpose-driven nuance.

[ Additional Insight ]

This flexibility makes に行く versatile for describing purpose-driven motion from various perspectives. Substituting the motion verb allows you to adapt the statement to fit the narrative or spatial context effortlessly.

Comparisons

1. ために行く (for the sake of going)

ために行く explicitly explains the reason or purpose for going, often sounding formal or structured. In contrast, に行く is more conversational and commonly used in everyday speech to express purpose or intent succinctly. Use ために行く in formal writing or when emphasizing the reason behind the action.