Have you heard phrases like「分わかってきた」 or 「続つづけていきます」 and wondered what they really mean?

Let’s break down 〜てくる and 〜ていく — two powerful expressions to show movement and change over time.

1. Physical Movement

〜てくる

= Movement toward the speaker

• コンビニに行いってきます。
  I’ll go to the convenience store and come back.
• 先生せんせいが部屋へやに入はいってきた。
  The teacher came into the room (toward where I am).

〜ていく

= Movement away from the speaker

• 友ともだちは図書館としょかんに歩あるいていきました。
  My friend walked to the library.
• 鳥とりが空そらへ飛とんでいった。
  A bird flew away into the sky.

2. Change Over Time

〜てくる

= Change starting in the past and continuing up to now

• 日本語にほんごがわかってきました。
  I’ve started to understand Japanese.
• 涼すずしくなってきたね。
  It’s been getting cooler.

〜ていく

= Change starting now and continuing into the future

• これからも日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしていきます。
  I’ll continue studying Japanese.
• 技術ぎじゅつはもっと発展はってんしていくでしょう。
  Technology will keep developing.

Summary Chart

Final Tip

Use 〜てくる to talk about things that move or develop toward you or up to now.
Use 〜ていく for things that move away or will continue from now on.

If you want to learn Japanese, improve your skills, or connect with native speakers and other learners, we can help. We offer one-on-one lessons, a supportive community, and on demand courses.

Website: nihongonana.com
Email: support@nihongonana.com

✅Book 1-on-1 lessons: https://nihongonana.com/lessons/
✅Join our Speaking Club: https://nihongonana.com/community/
✅Join our Course Waitlist: https://nihongonana.com/courses/