Translation guide
How to express the act of commuting or heading to one's workplace in Japanese, with attention to natural phrasing and common patterns.
I'm going to work.
I commute by train.
The speaker is going to their workplace, typically as part of a daily routine.
The most common and neutral way to say 'go to work'. Suitable for everyday conversation.
I go to work at 7 every morning.
I don't want to go to work today.
Specifically means 'commute to work'. Often used when talking about the journey or routine.
I commute to work by train.
Literally 'go to the office/company'. Use when the workplace is an office or company. More specific than 仕事に行く.
I plan to go to the office tomorrow.
Formal term for 'go to work' or 'report for duty'. Used in business contexts or official schedules.
I will report to work at 9 a.m. today.
Describing an action or state during the commute.
Expressing that one will go to work later or tomorrow.
Standard way to say 'I intend to go to work'.
I intend to go to work tomorrow.
Expresses obligation: 'I have to go to work'.
仕事に行く is the general 'go to work', while 通勤する specifically refers to the regular commute. Use 通勤する when discussing the journey or routine, and 仕事に行く for the simple act of heading to the workplace.
Commuting by train every day is tough.
仕事する means 'to work' (perform work), not 'to go to work'. To express the act of heading to the workplace, use 仕事に行く or 通勤する.
I bought coffee on my way to work.
I have to go to work on Saturday too.