Learn How to Pronounce ikimashou
(Listen to the audio above for the stress and intonation)
The Expert's Take
Meaning and Context
The Japanese phrase ikimashou (行きましょう) is the polite volitional or hortative form of the verb iku (行く), meaning "to go," and translates directly to the inclusive English invitation "let's go." As a cornerstone of basic Japanese phrases and essential travel Japanese, it is indispensable for learning Japanese and navigating social interactions in Japan. Its construction follows a standard pattern for Japanese verb conjugation, where the -masu stem of a verb is combined with -mashou to express a polite suggestion or collective intention. Far from a simple directional command, ikimashou is a key phrase for making plans in Japanese, used to propose starting an activity, leaving a place, or embarking on an outing together, thereby reflecting the language's inherent focus on group harmony and polite encouragement. Mastery of this form, along with its casual counterpart "ikou," is a fundamental milestone for Japanese language learners and a practical tool for any traveler in Japan seeking to engage respectfully with locals.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
Given its transliteration from Japanese kanji and kana to the Roman alphabet (rōmaji), ikimashou has a standardized spelling, but common variations arise from different romanization systems and typographical errors. The most frequent alternate spelling is ikimasho, which omits the 'u,' reflecting a common phonetic reality in Japanese where the final 'u' in "desu" or "-masu" forms is often devoiced. However, in proper rōmaji for learners, the 'u' is typically included. Common typos include ikimashou (with a misplaced 'i'), ikimashou (doubling a letter), or ikimashoo (incorrectly elongating the vowel). Some may mistakenly write ikimashau or ikimashow, confusing the 'ou' diphthong, which represents a long 'o' sound. It is also occasionally misspelled as ikimashyo or ikimashyou, incorrectly inserting a 'y.' The correct kanji representation is 行きましょう, which is never abbreviated in formal writing.
Example Sentences
After finishing our coffee, Yuki turned to the group and said, "Ikimashou," signaling it was time to head to the station.
For your first Japanese lesson, you'll quickly learn practical phrases like "Ikimashou" to suggest leaving together.
The tour guide, gathering everyone with a wave, cheerfully called out, "Sore dewa, tsugi no basho ni ikimashou!" ("Well then, let's go to the next place!").
In a business meeting, a manager might propose, "Kondo no shōkai no tame ni, Osaka shiten ni ikimashou," meaning "Let's go to the Osaka branch for the next introduction."
Remember, while "Ikimashou" is polite and perfect for most situations, with close friends you'd simply say, "Ikou!"
Sources and References
For the Japanese phrase "ikimashou," I listened to native speaker pronunciations on Forvo, which is an excellent resource for learning Japanese phrases. I also used YouGlish to find examples of the phrase being used in English-language Japanese learning tutorials or travel vlogs, confirming its pronunciation in an instructional context.
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