# ていく: go on doing; move away while doing > Learn how to use ていく, a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar point meaning go on doing; move away while doing, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N4 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n4-te-iku/ **ていく** means **go on doing; move away while doing**. It is a **JLPT N4** Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese. This English meaning is written independently from the source list so it answers the learner question directly: what does **ていく** mean and when should you use it? ## What does ていく mean? Use **ていく** when you want to express **go on doing; move away while doing** in a Japanese sentence. Natural translations include: - go on doing; move away while doing - go on doing - move away while doing The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer's or speaker's purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context. ## How to form ていく

Verb て-form + いく

勉強して + いく → 勉強していく

Related form: **てくる** ## When is ていく used? Use **ていく** in situations like: - reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences - making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern - recognizing natural grammar in conversation or short passages Tone and register: - usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, humble, honorific, or written - common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday examples ## ていく example sentences

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 will keep studying Japanese from now on.

continuation

鳥とりが空そらへ飛とんでいきました。

The bird flew away into the sky.

movement away

人口じんこうは少すこしずつ減へっていきます。

The population will gradually decrease.

gradual change

この習慣しゅうかんを続つづけていきたいです。

I want to keep this habit going.

continuation

子こどもたちは走はしっていきました。

The children ran away.

movement away

After reading each sentence, ask what job **ていく** is doing: continuation into the future, or physical movement away from the speaker. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation. ## Nuance of ていく The key nuance is **go on doing; move away while doing in context**, not a word-for-word English replacement. This matters because **ていく** often changes the relationship between actions, people, time, or evidence in the sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation. ## ていく vs てくる Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.

ていく

Target pattern

Focuses on go on doing; move away while doing.

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 will keep studying Japanese from now on.

てくる

Related pattern

Changes the tone, evidence, direction, or relationship in the sentence; often implies movement toward the speaker or continuation up to now.

If both translations seem possible, check the direction or time frame. Is the action moving forward, away, or toward the speaker? The answer often tells you which grammar point is natural. ## Common mistakes with ていく

❌ Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context

✅ Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.

❌ Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form

✅ Attach ていく only to the て-form of a verb.

❌ Confusing ていく with てくる because the English can sound similar

✅ Check the direction or time frame: ていく looks forward or away; てくる looks backward or toward.

## Is ていく on the JLPT?

Yes. ていく is connected to JLPT N4 grammar.

Recognize it in reading
Understand its nuance in context
Use it in simple original sentences

## Practice questions for ていく

Write one short sentence using the basic structure.

Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.

Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.

## Learning path for ていく Use **ていく** as part of your **JLPT N4** て-form action-flow and auxiliary verb grammar toolkit. Build short verb chains before using longer sentences.

Review the main て-form action first, then ask what the auxiliary adds: preparation, trial, completion, regret, movement, continuation, or a change over time.

Make one short sentence with ていく, then compare it with ていた.

Add 続ける or 始める to see how the nuance changes.

Write one sentence that uses ていく in its most literal meaning, one sentence that changes the subject or time expression, and one sentence that contrasts it with one of the related patterns below.

## Related grammar to review next - [ていた](/blog/n4-te-ita/) — compares another て-form auxiliary that changes action flow or completion. - [続ける](/blog/n4-tsuzukeru/) — compares another て-form auxiliary that changes action flow or completion. - [始める](/blog/n4-hajimeru/) — compares another て-form auxiliary that changes action flow or completion. - [出す](/blog/n4-dasu/) — compares another て-form auxiliary that changes action flow or completion. ## Learn ていく with Hane If you want to review **ていく** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/)