You’ve heard it in every single battle shonen anime ever made. The protagonist stands on a cliff, grits their teeth, and shouts it at the top of their lungs before charging into a fight they definitely shouldn't win. Ikuzo! It feels powerful. It feels right. But if you actually say that to your boss or even a casual acquaintance in Tokyo while heading to a meeting, the silence that follows will be deafening.
Getting let's go in japanese right isn't just about memorizing a single word from a textbook. It’s a social minefield. Japanese is a language built on the bones of hierarchy and "wa" (harmony). One wrong suffix and you’ve accidentally insulted your father-in-law or made yourself sound like a cartoon pirate. Honestly, most beginners fall into the trap of thinking there’s a one-to-one translation for everything. There isn't. Context is king here.
The Most Common Way: Ikimashou
If you want the safest, most "I actually studied" version, you’re looking for ikimashou.
This is the polite form. It’s the "Let's go" you use with coworkers, people you don’t know well, or when you're trying to be a functioning member of society. It comes from the verb iku (to go). In Japanese grammar, specifically the masu form, you change the ending to mashou to suggest an action together.
It's versatile. You're at a restaurant and everyone is finished eating? Ikimashou ka? (Shall we go?). You’re at the office and it’s time for the lunch break? Ikimashou. It’s clean. It’s professional. It’s the Toyota Camry of Japanese phrases—reliable, but maybe a bit boring.
Breaking Down the Polite Suggestion
There's a slight nuance when you add the "ka" at the end. Without it, you're making a firm suggestion. With it, you're asking. It’s the difference between "Let’s roll" and "Ready to head out?" Most Japanese social interactions lean toward the latter because being too assertive can come off as pushy or rude.
When to Use the Gritty Anime Version (Ikuzo)
Now, let's talk about ikuzo.
This is what people actually want to say when they look up let's go in japanese. It's rough. It's masculine. It’s something you say when you’re about to do something difficult or exciting. The "zo" particle adds a layer of intense emphasis.
But here is the reality: Japanese people don't use this nearly as much as Netflix would have you believe. If you say this to your girlfriend before walking into a movie theater, she might laugh at you. Or think you're being weirdly aggressive. It’s a "hype" word. You use it with your closest bros or when you’re literally about to start a physical task.
It's also worth noting that Japanese gender roles in language are shifting, but ikuzo still carries a very heavy masculine weight. You’ll rarely hear a Japanese woman use it unless she’s intentionally adopting a "tough" persona or playing a specific character in a game.
The Quicker, Casual "Ikou"
If you're with friends and ikimashou feels too stiff but ikuzo feels like you’re trying too hard to be Goku, go with ikou.
It’s the plain form. It's easy. Ikou is just the volitional form of the verb. It’s what you say when you’re standing up from a park bench with your best friend. No frills. Just "let's go."
The "Wait, Stay Here" Confusion: Ittekimasu vs. Iku
This is where things get genuinely confusing for English speakers. In English, when we leave the house, we say "I'm going" or "Let's go." In Japan, leaving a place involves a specific set of ritualistic phrases.
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If you are leaving your house or office and plan to come back, you don't really use "let's go" in the way we think. You say ittekimasu. This literally means "I will go and come back." The people staying behind say itterasshai.
If you shout "Ikou!" as you run out the door alone, people will look at you like you’re crazy because you’ve just invited everyone to follow you. You've essentially said "Let's all go!" to an empty room or a group of people who are clearly staying put.
Practical Situations for Different Phrases
Imagine you're at a crowded station in Shibuya. You’re with a group. You need to move.
- To a group of friends: Ikou! or Sorosoro ikou ka? (Should we head out soon?)
- To a business client: O-ide ni narimashou (Extremely formal, rarely used by learners) or more likely Ikimashou ka.
- To yourself when you're psyching yourself up: Yoshi, iku zo! (Alright, let's do this!)
The Hidden Meaning of "Sa" and "Yo"
Japanese is all about those tiny sounds at the end of sentences. They change the "flavor" of let's go in japanese completely.
- Ikou yo: Adding "yo" makes it more of a persuasion. "Come on, let's go!"
- Ikou ne: Adding "ne" makes it a soft agreement. "We're going, right?"
- Ikou sa: This is more casual, almost breezy. "Let's just go."
Most textbooks don't teach you the "feel" of these. They just give you the conjugation. But if you watch a show like Terrace House or any slice-of-life drama, pay attention to these endings. They tell you exactly what the relationship is between the speakers.
Why "Let's Go" Isn't Always About Going
Sometimes, when we say "Let's go!" in English, we aren't talking about movement. We’re cheering. If your favorite baseball team, the Hanshin Tigers, scores a run, you don't scream "Ikimashou!"
That would be weird.
In a sports or gaming context, you use words like Yatta! (I did it/We did it) or Saa! (Come on!). If you want to encourage someone to keep going, you use Ganbare or Ike! (literally: "Go!").
If you're at a concert and the band is about to start, you might hear the lead singer scream Moriagatte ikou zo! This basically means "Let's get hyped up!" or "Let's take this energy higher!" It uses the "go" verb (ikou) but it’s about the progression of an emotion or a state of being, not physical travel.
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Regional Slang: The Kansai Twist
If you find yourself in Osaka, things change. People in the Kansai region are known for being more outgoing and having a distinct dialect (Kansai-ben).
Instead of the standard ikou, you might hear ikou ya. The "ya" replaces the "yo" or "ne" and gives it a friendly, salt-of-the-earth vibe. It’s less formal and feels more like an invitation among equals. If you're trying to fit in at an izakaya in Dotonbori, dropping a "ya" instead of a "desu/masu" ending will get you instant respect (or at least a smile).
The Nuance of "Mairimashou"
Every now and then, you might encounter mairimashou.
This is the humble/extra-polite version. You’ll hear this from tour guides, elevator attendants, or in very formal announcements. It’s technically "let's go," but it places the speaker in a lower social position than the listener. Unless you are working in high-end Japanese hospitality, you probably don't need to say this. But you definitely need to recognize it. If a train conductor says it, he's not inviting you to a party; he's saying the train is departing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't use "Ikou" with your teacher. Even if you're close, it's a bit too casual. Stick to Ikimashou.
- Don't use "Ikuzo" in a library. It’s loud by nature.
- Don't forget the "Ka". If you're unsure if someone is ready to leave, always add the ka. Ikou ka? is much more polite than just barking Ikou! at someone who might still be putting on their shoes.
Summary of Actionable Insights
To actually use let's go in japanese effectively, stop trying to find one perfect word. Instead, categorize your situation.
- For the workplace or strangers: Use Ikimashou. It is impossible to be "too polite" as a foreigner, but it is very easy to be too rude.
- For friends and family: Use Ikou. It’s the standard, comfortable way to move a group.
- For high-energy moments or sports: Use Ikuzo or Ike! if you want to sound like you’re in an anime, but use it sparingly.
- For leaving a house you'll return to: Use Ittekimasu.
The best way to master this is to listen to the "echo." When you're in Japan or watching a show, listen to how the other person responds. Language is a mirror. If they respond with a polite Sore de wa, ikimashou, you know you hit the right level. If they look startled, you probably just used a "battle mode" verb in a grocery store.
Next time you're heading out, take a second to look at who you're with. If it's a peer, try a casual Ikou ka? If it’s someone you want to impress, keep it to Ikimashou. Mastering these small shifts is what actually makes you sound fluent, rather than just sounding like a walking dictionary.