行きます and 逝きます: The Same Sound, but Different Journeys
2026-09-08
行きます and 逝きます: The Same Sound, but Different Journeys
In Japanese, 行きます and 逝きます are both pronounced “ikimasu.” However, the journeys they describe are very different.
行きます means “to go.” It is used for an ordinary journey:
「会社に行きます。」
“I am going to work.”
“I am going to work.”
The person may leave, complete the journey, and return home.
逝きます also means “to go,” but it refers to death—leaving this world. It is a gentler and more poetic expression than directly saying that someone died.
The difference becomes especially meaningful in the phrase:
「お先に行きます。」
“I will go ahead of you.”
“I will go ahead of you.”
Written with 行, it simply means that I am leaving before you.
But written as:
「お先に逝きます。」
it means, “I will leave this world before you.”
The pronunciation is exactly the same. Only the kanji reveals the true meaning.
In a poetic sense, it may carry an even deeper message:
“I am going ahead of you. I will wait for you on the other side.”
Japanese often communicates profound emotions without stating them directly. One changed character can transform an ordinary departure into a final farewell—and perhaps into a promise that we will meet again.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..