Welcome to the Nihongo Lesson feature. We strive to give you useful manga-based Japanese language tips and maybe even a glimpse into the translation process. This week we’re really going for it! If you’ve ever found yourself ready for action and wanting a phrase to shout out, this lesson’s for you!

So you find yourself on a battlefield with dozens of terrifying aliens who can shoot giant spears right through you. What do you say?

IKUZO (いくぞ)
Okay, I’d be scared... But Keiji and Rita from All You Need Is Kill shout out IKUZO, which means “Let’s go!” This is a great phrase to use when you want to get your posse going. When Team Jump goes out for lunch we all stand up together and shout IKUZO before taking the diner by storm.

IKUKA (いくか)
But maybe you aren’t as confident or just want to make sure your buddies are on board. That’s when IKUKA comes in handy. This phrases things more as a suggestion. Such as “Shall we go?” or as Naruto and Sasuke say, “It’s time to get going.”

IKIMASHOU (いきましょう)
This is the polite form of IKUZO and can be used both as a question and answer. As an answer, you’re saying “Yes, let’s go.” Knowing when to be polite is very important in Japanese. IKIMASHOU is best used when you aren’t close friends with the person you are going with. Or when you view them as your superior, like Genos does with Saitama in One-Punch Man. Then you can power-up (down?) to IKUZO once you become good friends!

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The Nihongo Lesson first appears every Monday inside the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump!