Learning Japanese can sometimes feel like a journey through a labyrinth of unique grammar structures and vocabulary. Among the fascinating aspects of the language are the directional verbs, notably いく (iku) and くる (kuru). These verbs hold a special place in Japanese as they not only indicate movement but also reflect the speaker’s perspective and the direction of the action. Understanding how to use いく and くる correctly is crucial for effective communication in Japanese.
In this article, we will dive deep into the nuances of these directional verbs, exploring their meanings, usage, and various contexts to help you grasp their significance and application.
Basic Meanings of いく and くる
At the core, いく and くる translate to “to go” and “to come” respectively. However, these translations only scratch the surface of their true meanings and applications in Japanese.
いく (iku) – To Go:
いく indicates movement away from the current location or the speaker’s point of reference. It is used when the action is directed towards another place that is not the speaker’s current location.
Example:
– 学校にいく (gakkou ni iku) – “I go to school.”
くる (kuru) – To Come:
くる denotes movement towards the speaker’s current location or the point of reference. It is used when the action is directed towards where the speaker is or will be.
Example:
– 家にくる (ie ni kuru) – “I come home.”
Understanding Contextual Usage
The proper use of いく and くる largely depends on the context and perspective of the speaker. Let’s delve into some common scenarios to understand their application better.
Speaker’s Perspective
The speaker’s perspective plays a crucial role in determining whether to use いく or くる. Here are some typical situations:
1. **Moving to a Different Location:**
– If you are leaving your current location to go somewhere else, you use いく.
Example: 明日、大阪にいく (ashita, Osaka ni iku) – “I will go to Osaka tomorrow.”
– If someone is coming to your current location, you use くる.
Example: 友達が家にくる (tomodachi ga ie ni kuru) – “A friend is coming to my house.”
2. **Meeting Someone:**
– When you are going to meet someone at their location, you use いく.
Example: 彼のオフィスにいく (kare no ofisu ni iku) – “I go to his office.”
– When someone is coming to meet you at your location, you use くる.
Example: 彼がオフィスにくる (kare ga ofisu ni kuru) – “He comes to my office.”
Reference Points
In conversations, the reference point may shift, affecting the choice between いく and くる. Here are some examples:
1. **Future Events:**
– If you are talking about a future event at a different location, you use いく.
Example: 来月、東京にいく (raigetsu, Tokyo ni iku) – “I will go to Tokyo next month.”
– If someone will come to a place where you will be, you use くる.
Example: 来月、友達が東京にくる (raigetsu, tomodachi ga Tokyo ni kuru) – “Next month, a friend will come to Tokyo (where I will be).”
2. **Narrative Shifts:**
– In storytelling or narratives, the reference point may change, requiring careful consideration of いく and くる. If the narrative moves away from the speaker’s current location, use いく.
Example: 昔々、ある村に王子がいきました (mukashi mukashi, aru mura ni ouji ga ikimashita) – “Once upon a time, a prince went to a village.”
– If the narrative brings something towards the speaker or the main character’s current location, use くる.
Example: そして、王子が家にかえってきました (soshite, ouji ga ie ni kaette kimashita) – “And then, the prince came back home.”
Compound Verbs with いく and くる
Japanese often uses compound verbs to add layers of meaning to actions. いく and くる are frequently combined with other verbs to indicate directionality of actions. Let’s look at some common compound verbs.
Verb + いく:
– **持っていく (motte iku)** – “to take (something) away”
Example: 本を学校に持っていく (hon o gakkou ni motte iku) – “I take the book to school.”
– **歩いていく (aruite iku)** – “to walk away”
Example: 駅まで歩いていく (eki made aruite iku) – “I walk to the station.”
Verb + くる:
– **持ってくる (motte kuru)** – “to bring (something) here”
Example: 本を家に持ってくる (hon o ie ni motte kuru) – “I bring the book home.”
– **走ってくる (hashitte kuru)** – “to run towards here”
Example: 彼が走ってくる (kare ga hashitte kuru) – “He runs towards here.”
These compound verbs emphasize the direction of the action relative to the speaker’s current or future location.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Using いく and くる correctly can be tricky for learners. Here are some common mistakes and tips to avoid them:
1. **Ignoring the Speaker’s Perspective:**
– Mistake: Using いく instead of くる when someone is coming to your location.
Incorrect: 彼が家にいく (kare ga ie ni iku) – “He goes to my house.” (When you mean “He comes to my house.”)
Correct: 彼が家にくる (kare ga ie ni kuru) – “He comes to my house.”
2. **Misusing Compound Verbs:**
– Mistake: Confusing 持っていく (to take away) with 持ってくる (to bring here).
Incorrect: 本を持ってくる (hon o motte kuru) – “I bring the book here.” (When you mean “I take the book away.”)
Correct: 本を持っていく (hon o motte iku) – “I take the book away.”
3. **Overlooking Contextual Nuances:**
– Mistake: Not considering future reference points in conversations about future events.
Incorrect: 来月、友達が東京にいく (raigetsu, tomodachi ga Tokyo ni iku) – “Next month, a friend will go to Tokyo.” (When you will also be in Tokyo.)
Correct: 来月、友達が東京にくる (raigetsu, tomodachi ga Tokyo ni kuru) – “Next month, a friend will come to Tokyo (where I will be).”
Practical Exercises
To solidify your understanding of いく and くる, try these practical exercises:
1. **Translate the following sentences into Japanese:**
– “I will go to the store.”
– “She comes to the park.”
– “We take the dog to the vet.”
– “They bring lunch to the office.”
2. **Choose the correct verb (いく or くる) for each sentence:**
– 明日、友達が私の家に (いく / くる) 。
– 週末、映画館に (いく / くる) 。
– 彼は本を図書館に (持っていく / 持ってくる) 。
– 天気が良いので、公園まで (歩いていく / 歩いてくる) 。
Conclusion
Mastering the directional verbs いく and くる is essential for navigating the Japanese language effectively. These verbs do more than indicate movement; they provide context and perspective, reflecting the speaker’s position and the direction of the action. By understanding their basic meanings, contextual usage, compound forms, and common mistakes, you can enhance your Japanese communication skills significantly.
As with any aspect of language learning, practice is key. Engage in conversations, read Japanese texts, and do exercises to reinforce your understanding of いく and くる. With time and practice, these verbs will become second nature, allowing you to express movement and direction with confidence and clarity in Japanese. Happy learning!
