These forms locate a change or continuing action relative to a reference point, often the present.

The idea

Attach いく or くる to the verb’s て-form. 〜ていきます looks forward from the reference point: 長くなっていきます means it will become longer over time. 〜てきました looks back toward the present: 長くなってきました means it has gradually become longer. It can also mark the onset of a perceptible event, as in 雨が降ってきました.

Patterns to compare
PatternTime perspective
〜ていきますこれからの変化へんか・継続けいぞく
〜てきました今いままでの変化へんか・始はじまり

Examples

  • これから日ひがだんだん長ながくなっていきます。From now on, the days will gradually get longer.
  • 日ひがだんだん長ながくなってきました。The days have gradually gotten longer.
  • この町まちの人口じんこうはこれからも減へっていきます。The population of this town will keep decreasing.
  • 最近さいきん、日本語にほんごがだんだんわかってきました。Recently, I have gradually come to understand Japanese.
  • 雨あめが降ふってきました。It has started to rain.
  • 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 continue studying Japanese.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

The forms can also describe physical movement, such as going away after doing something or coming toward the speaker. Context determines the reading; てきました does not always mean a long gradual change.

Try it yourself

  1. これから寒さむくなって＿＿。

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    いきます

    いきます — これから points forward, so the cold develops from now on.

  2. 最近さいきん、日本語にほんごがわかって＿＿。

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    きました

    きました — 最近 frames understanding as a development leading up to now.

  3. 雨あめが降ふって＿＿。

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    きました

    きました — Rain has begun and is now perceptible.

  4. これからも勉強べんきょうして＿＿。

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    いきます

    いきます — これからも presents studying as continuing into the future.

Use it today

Describe one change you have noticed up to now and one you expect from now on. Explain your choice of form.