ていく

to go and do, to do and take along

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

ていく is a versatile Japanese grammatical structure used to express actions or events that move away from the speaker or progress into the future. It is formed by combining the て-form of a verb with いく (meaning "to go"), which adds the nuance of movement or continuation. Depending on the context, ていく can describe actions that:

・Start now and continue forward.

・Move away from the present moment.

・Develop or change progressively over time.

This structure is used both literally, such as going somewhere to perform an action, and metaphorically, such as describing gradual changes or future developments.

When in the volitional form (ていこう), it conveys the speaker’s intention to proceed with an action or plan for the future. This can be translated as "let’s" or "shall we", often suggesting a shared determination or goal.

The negative forms of ていく offer additional nuances:

・ていかない highlights inaction, stagnation, or failure to progress.

・ていけない suggests the impossibility or unsuitability of continuing an action, often conveying restriction or moral obligation.

ていく is widely used in daily conversations to describe literal movement, gradual changes, or the continuation—or lack thereof—of actions into the future. Its flexibility makes it an essential expression for expressing progression, intention, and change.

Structure

Verb［て］+ いく

Verb［て］+ いきます (polite)

Verb［て］+ いこう (volitional form)

Negative Form:

Verb［て］+ いかない

Verb［て］+ いきません (polite)

Verb［て］+ いけない

Verb［て］+ いけません (polite)

JLPT Level

Key uses

1. Indicating action moving away from the speaker

ていく describes actions or events that move outward or away from the speaker’s position. This usage is commonly applied to literal movement, such as walking, traveling, or sending objects elsewhere.

[ Additional Insight ]

This form is perfect for discussing physical transitions or actions heading in a specific direction, making it highly practical in travel or movement-related contexts.

2. Describing gradual changes moving into the future

ていく often conveys progressive changes that occur over time, emphasizing a forward trajectory. This is frequently used for describing natural phenomena, societal shifts, or personal development.

[ Additional Insight ]

This use pairs well with verbs describing change, such as 増える ("to increase") or 減る ("to decrease"), to highlight continuous evolution or transformation.

3. Showing ongoing actions or commitments

ていく is also used to express ongoing actions or commitments that will persist into the future. It reflects dedication, persistence, or the continuity of an activity.

[ Additional Insight ]

This form is especially useful for discussing future goals, emphasizing the speaker’s intention to keep moving forward with a task or responsibility.

4. Using てく in casual speech by dropping い

In casual contexts, ていく is often shortened to てく by omitting the い sound, making it sound more natural in informal conversations.

[ Additional Insight ]

This abbreviated form is widely used among friends or family, creating a relaxed and conversational tone. However, it is unsuitable for formal or professional settings.

5. Using ていった to describe past actions moving forward

The past form ていった is used to recount how actions or events progressed in the past. This is especially common in storytelling or providing detailed narratives.

[ Additional Insight ]

This form adds depth to past descriptions, emphasizing the sequence of events or how an action moved forward in time.

6. Negative form ていかない (action not moving forward)

The negative form ていかない indicates that an action does not progress or fails to move forward. This often conveys stagnation, inaction, or frustration.

[ Additional Insight ]

This form is practical for describing situations where expectations are not being met or when progress feels blocked. It is often used in negative or disappointing contexts.

7. Potential negative "ていけない" (impossible to proceed)

When combined with いけない, the form ていけない expresses the impossibility or unsuitability of continuing an action. It often implies restriction, limitation, or moral obligation.

[ Additional Insight ]

This form is practical for describing situations where expectations are not being met or when progress feels blocked. It is often used in negative or disappointing contexts.

Comparisons

1. てくる

Both ていく and てくる express directionality, but they differ in perspective. ていく describes movement away from the speaker or toward the future, while てくる indicates movement or progress toward the speaker or the present moment. Use てくる to emphasize actions or events that approach the speaker or current context.