Translation and Meaning of: いく - iku

The Japanese word いく (iku) is one of those terms that carries such distinct meanings that it can be quite surprising. While its most common use refers to the verb "to go" or "to come," depending on the context, it also has a very different connotation in the realm of intimacy. If you've ever wondered why this little word appears so often in songs, anime, and even casual conversations, this article will show you everything from its origin to its most unusual uses. Here, you will also learn how to write the kanji correctly, along with tips to memorize this word effectively using spaced repetition techniques.

Origin and etymology of いく

The word いく (iku) has ancient roots in archaic Japanese, derived from the verb 行く (yuku), which means "to go". Over time, the pronunciation simplified to "iku", but the original kanji (行) continued to be used in formal writing. Interestingly, this same ideogram appears in words like 行動 (kōdō), which means "action" or "behavior", showing how the idea of movement is connected to its essence.

In colloquial context, the use of いく to describe orgasm emerged as a metaphor for "going" to a state of ecstasy. This duality of meanings is common in many languages, but in Japanese, it takes on an almost poetic tone. Imagine the scene: a couple whispering "iku?" as a discreet code, while in another context the same word can be used to ask if someone is going to the market. This flexibility is what makes Japanese so fascinating.

Everyday use and popular expressions

Beyond its most intimate meaning, いく appears in various everyday expressions. One of the most common is どこ行くの？ (doko iku no?), which means "Where are you going?". Another useful variation is 一緒に行こう (issho ni ikou), used to invite someone to go somewhere together. These phrases are so frequent that you will hear them repeatedly in Japanese dramas or even in real conversations on the streets of Tokyo.

In the realm of relationships, the use of いく as a euphemism for orgasm is so widespread that even adult mangas and animes employ it openly. If you've watched some hotter scenes in Japanese productions, you've probably noticed characters murmuring "iku, iku!" at key moments. This double meaning is so rooted in the culture that it has even become a joke in some comedy shows, where hosts play with ambiguous situations using the word.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

If you are struggling to remember when to use いく in its literal or metaphorical sense, a tip is to pay attention to the context. In formal or neutral situations, it almost always refers to the act of going. However, in more intimate dialogues or in certain entertainment genres, it can carry the other meaning. A technique that works well is to associate the kanji 行 with a mental image of movement, whether physical or emotional.

A fun fact is that some J-Pop fans play with the dual meanings of words in songs. There are even cases of lyrics that seem innocent at first glance, but when analyzed carefully, reveal daring puns using いく. And if you've ever used dating apps in Japan, you know that understanding these nuances can avoid embarrassments—nobody wants to confuse an invitation to "go to the movies" with something else, right?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of いく

• いく - Verb irregular
• いきます - polite form
• いかない - negative form
• いって - て imperative form
• いった - past form

Synonyms and similar words

• 行く (iku) - Go, to cause movement towards a place.
• 逝く (iku) - To go, but with a connotation of departing, often used in contexts of death.
• 往く (iku) - To go, usually used in literary or formal contexts.
• 歩く (aruku) - Walk, move on foot.
• 走る (hashiru) - Run, move quickly.
• 進む (susumu) - Advance, proceed towards a goal.
• 出かける (dekakeru) - Leave, go outside the house.
• 移動する (idou suru) - Move, to transit from one place to another.
• 訪れる (otozureru) - Visit, go to a place for a specific purpose.
• 足を運ぶ (ashi wo hakobu) - To travel, to make an effort to visit or go to a place.
• 旅する (tabi suru) - Travel, take a journey.
• 訪問する (houmon suru) - Visit, usually in a formal context.
• 赴く (omomuku) - To go to a specific place for certain reasons.
• 出発する (shuppatsu suru) - To depart, to start a journey.
• 通う (kayou) - To frequent, to go regularly to a place, such as school or work.
• 乗り込む (norikomu) - To get in, to board a vehicle.
• 訪ねる (tazuneru) - Visit in a more casual or friendly way.

いく

Romaji: iku
Kana: いく
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n1, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: come over; have orgasm

Meaning in English: to come;to orgasm

Definition: to pass away: to die. to become extinct. to leave.

Example Sentences - (いく) iku

See below some example sentences:

行くは日本語で「いく」と言います。

Iku wa nihongo de "iku" to iimasu

I'm going to Japanese in Japanese.

• 行く (iku) - means "to go" in Japanese
• 日本語 (nihongo) - "日本語"
• で (de) - a particle that indicates the means or manner of doing something
• 「いく」(iku) - a pronúncia em japonês da palavra "ir" é "iku" (行く)
• 言います (iimasu) - significa "言う" em japonês.

エレガントなドレスを着てパーティーに行きます。

Elegant na doresu wo kite paatii ni ikimasu

I go to a party wearing an elegant dress.

• エレガントな - elegant
• ドレス - dress
• を - direct object particle
• 着て - dressing (gerund verb)
• パーティー - party
• に - target particle
• 行きます - go

出口はどこですか？

Deguchi wa doko desu ka?

Where's the exit?

• 出口 - means "exit" in Japanese.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• どこ - means "where" in Japanese.
• です - It is an auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence.
• か - It is a grammatical particle that indicates a question.

感謝の気持ちを忘れずに生きていきたい。

Kansha no kimochi wo wasurezu ni ikiteikitai

I want to live without forgetting my gratitude.

• 感謝の気持ち - Feeling of gratitude
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 忘れずに - Without forgetting
• 生きていきたい - I want to live