Translation guide
The English word 'going' can refer to departure, travel, progress, or the state of something continuing. This guide helps learners choose natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Expressing that someone is leaving a place or departing.
The most basic verb for 'go'. Use it when you are leaving for somewhere.
More formal, often used for trips or scheduled departures.
明日の朝、東京を出発します。
I will leave Tokyo tomorrow morning.
To go out (for an errand, leisure, etc.). Implies leaving home or current place temporarily.
Describing the act of traveling or moving from one place to another.
The default verb for going somewhere.
Asking or describing how something is progressing or developing.
Expressing a future intention or plan, equivalent to 'going to' in English.
Expresses intention: 'I'm going to do ~'. Attach to dictionary form of verb.
明日、映画を見るつもりだ。
I'm going to watch a movie tomorrow.
Describing something that is still happening or continuing.
Use まだ with 〜ている form to mean 'still going on'.
会議はまだ続いている。
The meeting is still going on.
Euphemistic or indirect expressions for someone leaving permanently or dying.
English 'going to' is not translated with 行く. Use つもり or 予定 instead. Saying '映画を見に行く' means 'go to see a movie', not 'going to see a movie' as a future plan.
映画を見に行く。
I go to see a movie. (movement)
映画を見るつもりだ。
I'm going to watch a movie. (intention)
ちょっと買い物に出かけます。
I'm going out shopping for a bit.
週末に京都へ行きます。
I'm going to Kyoto this weekend.
To move, transfer, or travel. Often used for transportation or changing locations.
電車で移動する。
I travel by train.
仕事の調子はどう？
How's work going?
To be going well. Often used for projects or relationships.
すべてうまくいっています。
Everything is going well.
To advance, make progress. Used for work, plans, etc.
計画は順調に進んでいる。
The plan is going smoothly.
Indicates a scheduled plan, like 'I'm going to ~' (more formal).
来月、大阪に行く予定です。
I'm going to Osaka next month.
Literally 'just about to do', used for immediate future.
今、出かけるところだ。
I'm just going out.
To continue, go on. Used for events, states.
この天気はいつまで続くのか。
How long is this weather going to continue?
Polite way to say someone has passed away.
彼は去年亡くなりました。
He passed away last year.