Verbs · N5–N4
行く vs 来る: movement viewpoint
Japanese movement verbs are anchored to a conversational viewpoint.
In short
行く means movement away from the relevant viewpoint toward elsewhere; 来る means movement toward the speaker’s/current/relevant location or viewpoint.
How it works
If you are at home and a friend asks whether you will go to their house, Japanese may use 行く from your current viewpoint. Once their house becomes the conversational “here,” 来る can describe someone coming there.
Useful contrast
English “come” and Japanese 来る do not always choose the same reference point.
Examples
明日、学校に行きます。
I will go to school tomorrow.
友達が家に来ます。
A friend is coming to my house.
Common pitfall
When translating invitations and plans, check whose location is treated as the destination viewpoint instead of substituting come/go automatically.