Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 1: 7/18

～ていく

To ~ and go, To go on, To start

Structure

Verb［て］+ いく

Details

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About ていく

This grammar construction is a mix of the conjunction particle て, and the verb 行(い)く 'to go'. To use this grammar point, you will need to attach て to any verb, and then follow it with いく.

This nuance is usually that '(A) happened and then went', or 'will happen, and then go'. In other words, it will depend on whether いく is in present, or past tense.

ていく can be used when representing time, or when representing a physical place. When representing a physical place, it is more likely that the kanji structure, 行(い)く will be used. However, this is not a set rule, and depends on the writer.

When used in relation to time, the nuance is usually that something has already started/is about to start, and then will continue to progress in the same way.

This is the opposite of てくる, which indicates that something has finally reached a certain state, after progressing in that way for some time.

Fun Fact

When compared to English, ていく is very similar to the phrase 'to go on to (A)', in relation to time. It focuses on the fact that the speaker is required to make some type of journey to arrive at a specific point. For example, 'She went on to become a doctor after university'.

Examples

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    大(おお)きい音(おと)で、鳥(とり)が飛(と)んでいく。

    With a loud noise, the birds will fly away. (fly and go)

    これを先生(せんせい)に持(も)っていってください。

    Please take this to the teacher. (hold and go)

    友達(ともだち)にプレゼントを買(か)っていく。

    I am going to buy a present and take it to my friend. (buy and go)

    大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)！お弁当(べんとう)を持(も)っていくから。

    It's okay! Because I will take a lunch (bento) with me. (hold and go)

    今日(きょう)はテストを受(う)けるから鉛筆(えんぴつ)を持(も)っていく。

    Because I am going to take a test today, I will take a pencil. (hold and go)

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ていく – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (18 in total)

  • dharlequin

    dharlequin

    Hello!

    I am really struggling to understand the nuance of this grammar point. How is it different from just using the verb as most of the examples are translated to?

    It’s clear, when the translation is “to go and do something”. But when the translation is just one verb without anyone or anything going anywhere, then I don’t understand why I or anyone would use this longer phrasing.

  • RareRecharge

    RareRecharge

    I’m also struggling with this grammar point despite reading the lesson and previous comments.

    I don’t think I full understand why the example 今日うちで食べて行く？ means would you like to eat at my place.

    今日うちで食べにく? makes sense as “tonight, do you want to go and eat at my place” (invitation)

    今日うちで食べていく? to me sounds like "tonight, do you want to eat at my place and go (somewhere). " (invitation)

    I’m not sure how the latter just means Do you want to go and eat at my place tonight?

    Can someone help me understand please?

  • ThiagoIanuch

    ThiagoIanuch

    Hello! I’m also struggling with this grammar point, but I found this video:

    If I understand correctly, the difference between ～ていく and ～に行く would be:

    食べ に行く
    Just says “to go eat”, no place else to go after

    食べていく
    It says “to go eat”, but indicates that there is still somewhere else to go.

    I would appreciate if anyone could tell me if I am correct.

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