(Ken and Raya waving from a train platform saying “Itterasshai!” to Joy as she boards, with an orange cat wearing a station master hat waving)Welcome to “Japanese You Keep Seeing”!
In our last lesson, we learned that Ittekimasu is a promise to go and return safely. But a promise means nothing if there is no one there to receive it! In Japan, leaving the house or the office requires a response from the person staying behind. That mandatory response is いってらっしゃい (Itterasshai). Why are these two phrases an unbreakable set? Let’s explore the beautiful history of Japan’s verbal safety charm!
🗣 Conversation Scene
Joy is leaving for a three-day design conference in Osaka. Ken and Raya have accompanied her to the local train station to see her off before she boards the Shinkansen (bullet train).💡 Explanation: The Verbal Protective Charm
To understand why they are a set, we must look at the grammar and the historical beliefs of the Japanese people.1. What does it literally mean? 🛤️
Just like its partner phrase, いってらっしゃい (Itterasshai) is a combination of two verbs: ✅ 行って (Itte): The “Te-form” of Iku (To go). ✅ いらっしゃい (Irasshai): The respectful imperative form of “To come/go/be.” Together, the phrase literally commands the person: “Please go, and please come back.” It is the exact mirror of “Ittekimasu” (I will go and come back).2. The Concept of Kotodama (言霊) 🔮
Historically, traveling in Japan was dangerous. There were no cell phones, and roads were treacherous. The Japanese believed heavily in 言霊 (Kotodama – the spirit of words), the idea that spoken words have magical power that can affect reality. By saying “Itterasshai” out loud, families believed they were casting a protective verbal charm over the traveler. If they explicitly stated “come back,” the universe would ensure their safe return. The set is incomplete without the person staying behind granting this protective blessing!3. Can you say it if they aren’t coming back? 🚫
Because the word explicitly means “Come back,” you cannot use “Itterasshai” if someone is moving away permanently or leaving forever. If someone is moving to a different country and will not return to that house or office, you should say さようなら (Sayounara – Goodbye) or お元気で (Ogenki de – Take care) instead.💎 Pro Tip: Using it for Customers
You will often hear shop clerks or restaurant owners say “Itterasshai!” to you as you walk out their door. They are wishing you a safe journey for the rest of your day, but they are also subtly saying, “Please come back to our store again in the future!”
🔥 Practice Quiz
Ready to master the Ko-So-A-Do system?
Want to dive deeper? Check out our official Beginner’s Grammar Book for more examples, detailed explanations, and practice exercises to perfect your Japanese pointing skills!
📖 Read more in the Grammar Book: これ/それ/あれ/どれ
