〜ていく vs 〜てくる
Learn to compare 〜ていく and 〜てくる by tracking direction, time, and viewpoint.
The Basic Contrast
A simple way to compare them is this: 〜てくる points toward 'here / now,' while 〜ていく points away from 'here / now.' That 'here' may be physical space or the speaker's present point in time.
気温が下がってきた。
The temperature has been dropping.
The change has reached the present.
気温が下がっていく。
The temperature will keep dropping.
The change continues onward from now.
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