In Japan, leaving the house isn’t just about walking out the door; it is a social ritual that reaffirms the bond between those staying and those departing. The phrase at the heart of this ritual is Ittekimasu.
Reading: Ittekimasu (いってきます)
When to Use: When leaving home, the office, or a group for a temporary period.
The Literal Meaning of Ittekimasu
To understand why this phrase is so fundamental to Japanese culture, you have to look at its grammatical structure. It is a combination of two verbs:
- Iku (行く): To go
- Kuru (来る): To come
When combined into the “te-form” (itte) and the polite form of kuru (kimasu), it translates literally to “I will go and I will come back.” Unlike a simple “goodbye” or “see ya,” Ittekimasu is a promise. It signals that your departure is temporary and that you intend to return safely to the place you are leaving.
The Essential Response: Itterasshai
A Japanese greeting is rarely a solo act. Just as you wouldn’t leave a Shitsurei Shimasu unanswered in a business setting, Ittekimasu requires its counterpart: Itterasshai (いってらっしゃい).
Itterasshai literally means “Please go and please come back.” It is the verbal equivalent of a protective charm, wishing the traveler a safe journey and a swift return. Without this exchange, the departure can feel incomplete or even slightly unsettling to a Japanese person.
Absolutely! While it’s most common at home, you’ll hear it in Japanese offices daily. If you are leaving for a meeting or a lunch break, saying “Ittekimasu” tells your colleagues that you aren’t leaving for the day. It’s a great way to show you are a team player, much like how Yappari shows your alignment with a shared expectation.
Ittekimasu vs. Sayonara
One common mistake for beginners is using Sayonara when leaving home. In Japan, Sayonara often carries a sense of finality—like “goodbye for a long time” or even “farewell forever.” If you say Sayonara to your roommate when heading to the grocery store, they might wonder if you’re moving out!
Ittekimasu is the warmer, more intimate choice for daily life. It emphasizes the continuity of the relationship and the home base.
Daily Examples in Context
Scenario 1: Leaving for School or Work
Child: 行ってきます！ (Ittekimasu! – I’m heading out!)
Parent: 行ってらっしゃい！車に気をつけてね。 (Itterasshai! Kuruma ni ki wo tsukete ne. – Take care! Watch out for cars.)
Scenario 2: Leaving the Office for a Meeting
Employee: ちょっと打ち合わせに行ってきます。 (Chotto uchiawase ni ittekimasu. – I’m off to a quick meeting.)
Colleague: 行ってらっしゃい。 (Itterasshai. – See you later / Good luck.)
Cultural Significance
The beauty of Ittekimasu lies in its simplicity and the comfort it provides. In a society that values harmony (wa) and social connection, these small verbal anchors remind us that we have a place to return to and people waiting for us. Whether you are a student, a salaryman, or a traveler, using this phrase will immediately make your interactions feel more authentic and respectful of Japanese etiquette.
