: language, after, noon, five, the board game. Essential context for travelers exploring Japan + reading signs.){kind=link}
Quick Answer
What ‘Go’ means in Japanese (multiple meanings): 1. 語 (go) = language: as in Nihongo (Japanese language). Most common travel context. 2. 後 (go) = after, behind: as in gogo (afternoon — ‘after noon’). 3. 五 (go) = five: number 5. Useful for reading prices + addresses. 4. 午 (go) = noon: as in gogo (PM/afternoon — combined with 後 above). 5. 碁 (go) = the board game: traditional strategy game played in Japan since 7th century. For travelers: ‘go’ appears everywhere because it\’s a common syllable. Don\’t confuse different kanji (Chinese characters) with same pronunciation. Tip: katakana (foreign words) like \’go\’ (ゴー) means \’going\’ or used in brand names. Pronunciation: short ‘goh’ sound — like English ‘go’ but cleaner without ‘w’ glide.
‘Go’ as language (語)
- Nihongo (日本語): the Japanese language. Nihon = Japan, go = language.
- Eigo (英語): English language. Ei = England, go = language.
- Furansugo (フランス語): French language. Furansu = France, go = language.
- Common pattern: [country name] + go = language of that country.
- Useful for travelers: “Nihongo o hanasenai” = “I don\’t speak Japanese.”
- Common signs: Eigo OK (English OK) — common at hotels + tourist sites.
- Translation apps: “kono jisho de nihongo o eigo ni honyaku shite kudasai” — “please translate this from Japanese to English.”
- Asking if someone speaks English: “Eigo o hanasemasu ka?”
‘Go’ as afternoon/after (後/午)
- Gogo (午後): afternoon, PM. Literally “after noon.”
- Gozen (午前): morning, AM. Literally “before noon.”
- Saigo (最後): “the last,” final.
- Use in transit: trains often labeled “gozen 9:00” (9 AM) or “gogo 3:00” (3 PM).
- Hotel check-in times: often “gogo 3-ji” (3 PM).
- Restaurant opening: “gogo 5-ji” (5 PM).
- Useful Japanese time format: gozen 10-ji = 10 AM, gogo 7-ji = 7 PM.
- Don\’t confuse: different kanji (後 + 午) but both pronounced “go.”
‘Go’ as number 5 (五)
- Go (五): five.
- Gogatsu (五月): May (5th month).
- Counting 1-10 in Japanese: ichi, ni, san, shi/yon, go, roku, shichi/nana, hachi, kyuu, juu.
- Useful for prices: ¥500 = go-hyaku en.
- Addresses: Japan addresses use numbers, often see “go-banchi” (5-banchi).
- Train cars numbered: “5-go-sha” = car #5.
- Don\’t confuse: “shi” (4) is sometimes avoided as it sounds like “death.” Often “yon” used instead.
- Other unlucky numbers: 9 (kyuu) sometimes avoided as it sounds like “suffering.”
- Auspicious numbers: 7 (nana) is lucky.
‘Go’ as the board game (碁)
- Go (碁): ancient board game. Originated in China 2,500+ years ago, brought to Japan 7th century.
- Played with: black + white stones on 19×19 grid.
- Objective: control more territory than opponent.
- Considered Japan\’s national game: alongside chess and shogi (Japanese chess).
- Where to see: Go salons in Tokyo + Kyoto. Some museums.
- Famous Go centers: Hidari Saiko-en Tokyo, Nihon Ki-in (Japan Go Association).
- Watch professional Go: live streaming + tournaments on Japanese TV.
- AI revolution: Google\’s AlphaGo defeated world champion Lee Sedol 2016 — historic moment.
- Learning Go: classes available in Tokyo for travelers. ¥3,000-5,000/lesson.
- Souvenir Go boards: wooden boards + stones available in Japan, ¥5,000-50,000.
Other useful ‘Go’ words
- Gozaimasu (ございます): polite verb ending. “Arigato gozaimasu” = thank you (polite).
- Gohan (ご飯): rice/meal. “Gohan tabemasu” = “I\’m eating rice/meal.”
- Gomennasai (ごめんなさい): sorry.
- Gosenzosama (御先祖様): ancestors.
- Goryōri (御料理): cuisine, cooking.
- Onsen Gogai (温泉ご外): outside hot spring.
- Ringo (りんご): apple.
- Tamago (たまご): egg.
- Igo (囲碁): formal word for the board game Go.
- The ‘go’ sound appears in 100+ common words.
Practical tips for travelers
- Reading kanji: the same pronunciation can mean different things based on context + character.
- Travel apps: Google Translate Camera mode reads kanji from photos.
- Best translator: DeepL Japanese-English (better than Google for nuance).
- Hiragana vs katakana vs kanji: 3 scripts in Japanese. Hiragana (curvy) + katakana (angular, foreign words) + kanji (Chinese characters).
- Most useful kanji to learn: numbers, days of week, “exit/entrance,” “men/women” for toilets.
- Japan Rail Pass: 7-day pass ¥50,000 (for tourists only). Best value for multi-city travel.
- Best apps for Japan: Japan Travel by NAVITIME + Google Maps + Yamap (hiking).
- Cell SIM: Japan Wireless eSIM or Sakura Mobile physical SIM.
- Currency: Yen (¥). Cash culture — bring physical yen.
- Best ATMs: 7-Eleven convenience stores — accept international cards.
- Best time visit: March-May (cherry blossoms) + October-November (autumn colors).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ‘go’ mean in Japanese?
Multiple meanings: 語 (language), 後 (after), 五 (five), 午 (noon), 碁 (the board game). Context + kanji character determine which ‘go.’
Is ‘go’ the same as English go?
Different — Japanese ‘go’ is a syllable with several meanings. English ‘go’ as movement is rendered as ‘iku’ (行く) or katakana ‘ゴー’.
How do you write Japanese language in Japanese?
Nihongo (日本語) — Nihon = Japan, go = language. Most common ‘go’ word travelers will encounter.
What is Go board game?
Ancient strategy game 2,500+ years old. Played with black/white stones on 19×19 grid. Considered Japan’s national game alongside shogi.
How to learn Japanese before travel?
DuoLingo + Pimsleur + Japanese phrasebooks. Focus on basic phrases: thank you, please, sorry, where is, how much. English widely available in tourist areas.
Best Japanese translation app for travel?
DeepL for accuracy. Google Translate Camera for reading signs + menus. Japan Travel by NAVITIME for transit.
Recommended on Amazon
grandgo.com is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Links open your local Amazon store.
- Japanese phrasebook — travel essentials.
- Lonely Planet Japan — comprehensive.
- Go board game set — traditional Japanese.