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In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Japanese grammar Vますform + に いきます/きます/かえります.
You ran into Mr. Yamada, who lives in your neighborhood, on the street. Mr. Yamada asks you where you're going.
Here’s what you can say in this situation:
“デパートへくつを買いに行きます(デパートへ くつを かいに いきます。)"
Today let's learn about "Vますform + に いきます/きます/かえります".
👉<Use>
When we use motion verbs, we use the form "Vますform + に" to describe the purpose of the movement.
※motion verb: verbs which describe the movements like "いきます”, "きます", "かえります."
Please look at the example again.
デパートへくつを買いに行きます。
(デパートへ くつを かいに いきます。)
In the example above, “くつを買います(buying shoes)” is the purpose of “デパートへ行きます(going to the department store).”
“デパートへくつを買いに行きます。" means "I'm going to the department store to buy shoes."
This grammar point is also introduced in beginner textbooks. If you want to review grammar more systematically, having one good textbook really helps:
👉<Form>
Vます(masu) form is placed before the particle "に."
※Vますform(どうし ますけい): The form that a verb takes when used with ます(masu) is called”ますform.”
かいます → かいに
たべます → たべに
みます → みに
When you use a noun with 「します」 (Nをします / N+します), you can also use the form “Noun + に.”
かいものします → かいものに
しょくじします → しょくじに
👉<Examples>
1. 新宿へ映画を見に行きます。
(しんじゅくへ えいがを みに いきます。)
I will go to Shinjuku to watch a movie.
2. 日本へおいしいすしを食べに行きます。
(にほんへ おいしい すしを たべに いきます。)
I will go to Japan to eat delicious sushi.
3. 公園へ走りに行きます。
(こうえんへ はしりに いきます。)
I will go to the park to run.
4. 図書館へ勉強しに行きます。
(としょかんへ べんきょうしに いきます。)
I will go to the library to study.
5. これから友だちに会いに行きます。
(これから ともだちに あいに いきます。)
I am going to meet my friend now.
6. 家に忘れ物を取りに帰ります。
(いえに わすれものを とりに かえります。)
I will go back home to get something I forgot.
7. ユウさんは明日わたしの家へ遊びに来ます。
(ユウさんは あした わたしの いえへ あそびに きます。)
Yuu will come to my house to hang out tomorrow.
8. イタリアへ旅行に行きます。
(イタリアへ りょこうに いきます。)
I will go to Italy for a trip.
9. ちょっと散歩に行きます。
(ちょっと さんぽに いきます。)
I will go for a short walk.
Recommended Reading
Best Japanese Textbooks for Beginners
Want to learn Japanese grammar more systematically? This guide compares Genki, Minna no Nihongo, Japanese From Zero, and other popular beginner textbooks.
Read the Guide →Speaking Practice
Practice Japanese on italki
If you want to practice this grammar in real conversation, learning with a tutor can help you improve faster. Many learners find that regular speaking practice is the fastest way to become confident in Japanese.
Find a Japanese Tutor on italki →Suggested Study Material
Genki I (Beginner Japanese)
This grammar point is explained in Genki I (Lesson 7), a widely used beginner textbook for learning Japanese.
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