Have you ever said things like, “I’m going to eat ramen!” or “Let’s go shopping!” in Japanese?
Then you’re going to love this grammar pattern, に行く (ni iku)!

It means “to go (somewhere) in order to do something.”
This expression combines a verb (in its stem form) + に行く, and it’s used all the time in daily life when talking about your plans or actions.

You’ll often hear sentences like…
“I’m going to meet a friend,” or “I’m going to study at the cafe.”
Simple, useful, and perfect for travelers and learners alike!

Let’s take a look at how to use に行く naturally in conversation, it’s one of those expressions that instantly makes your Japanese sound real and lively!

Verb vs Verb (stem form) + に行く(ni iku)
Both use verbs, but the nuance is quite different!

友達とご飯を食べる
ともだち と ごはん を たべる
tomodachi to gohan wo taberu
Focuses on the action of “eating” itself.
You’re simply having a meal together, maybe at home, school, or work.

友達とご飯を食べに行く
ともだち と ごはん を たべ に いく
tomodachi to gohan wo tabe ni iku
Adds the nuance of going out somewhere to eat.
It shows movement + purpose, you go out for the purpose of eating (usually at a restaurant or cafe).

💡Tips:
Verb (stem form) + に行く shows the purpose of your movement, what you’re going to do after going somewhere!

駅に友達を迎えに行きます。
えき に ともだち を むかえ に いきます。
eki ni tomodachi wo mukae ni ikimasu.
I’m going to the station to pick up my friend.

病院に検査を受けに行きます。
びょういん に けんさ を うけ に いきます。
byouin ni kensa wo uke ni ikimasu.
I’m going to the hospital to get a checkup.

彼は毎朝、近所のカフェにコーヒーを飲みに行きます。
かれ は まいあさ、きんじょ の かふぇ に こーひー を のみ に いきます。
kare ha mai asa, kinjo no kafe ni koohii wo nomi ni ikimasu.
He goes to a local café every morning to have coffee.

昨日は犬と公園へ遊びに行きました。
きのう は いぬ と こうえん へ あそび に いきました。
kinou ha inu to kouen e asobi ni ikimashita.
Yesterday, I went to the park to play with my dog.

< Conversation Example >
A: コンビニに行ってくるね。
　こんびに に いってくる ね。
　konbini itte kuru ne.
　I’m going to the convenience store.

B: 何をしに行くの？
　なに を し に いく の？
　nani wo shi ni iku no?
　What are you going there for?

A: 今度行く映画のチケットを買いに行くよ。
　こんど いく えいが の ちけっと を かい に いく よ。
　kondo iku eiga no chiketto wo kai ni iku yo.
　I’m going to buy tickets for the movie we’re going to see next time.

• Grammar Point: 〜に行く (ni iku)
• JLPT Level: N5
• Meaning: To go (in order) to do something
• Quick Explanation: に行く is used when you go somewhere for the purpose of doing something.
  

So that’s how we use に行く!
It’s a super handy way to express your purpose when going somewhere, whether it’s to eat, shop, or just have fun!

日本に何をしに行きますか？勉強をしに行く？観光地に遊びに行く？買い物をしに行く？美味しいものをたくさん食べに行く？
にほん に なに を し に いきます か？ べんきょう を し に いく？ かんこうち に あそび に いく？ かいもの を し に いく？ おいしい もの を たくさん たべ に いく？
nihon ni nani wo shi ni ikimasu ka? benkyou wo shi ni iku? kankouchi ni asobi ni iku? kaimono wo shi ni iku? oishii mono wo takusan tabe ni iku?
What are you going to Japan to do? To study? To go sightseeing? To go shopping? Or to eat lots of delicious food?

Now it’s your turn! Try making your own sentences with に行く and talk about what you’re going to do in Japan!

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫

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