Coming And Going with てくる and ていく in Japanese

A comprehensive guide to these versatile grammar patterns

Basic Distinction: Kanji vs. Non-Kanji Usage

Kanji Form (て来る/て行く)

When written with kanji, these forms maintain their literal meaning of “coming” and “going.” They are primarily used for sequencing events.

すみません。ちょっと、コンビニによって、（それから）行きます。 
(I'll stop by the convenience store and then go [to our meeting place].) 

どこかで昼ご飯を食べて、（それから）来ます。 
(I'll eat lunch somewhere and then come [back/there].)

Main Usage Patterns

1. Directional Movement (てくる/ていく)

These forms can indicate the direction of an action relative to the speaker’s perspective.

日が沈んでいった。
(The sun went down/sank away)

日が昇ってきた。
(The sun came up/rose towards us)

2. Continuous Actions Through Time

Past to Present (てきた)

Indicates continuation of an action from the past until now.

子供たちを、今まで６年間も教えてきた。 
(I have been teaching children for 6 years until now.)

Present to Future (ていく)

Shows continuation of an action into the future.

これからも、ずっと教えていくつもりだ。
(I intend to continue teaching from now on.)

Important Note

In these auxiliary uses, いく and くる function as helper verbs rather than maintaining their original meaning of physical movement. They create a temporal or directional context for the main action, adding depth and nuance to the expression.