Explore 到 in words for arriving and reaching a destination or goal. Learn each reading with its whole word.

The idea

到 has 8 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 到着（とうちゃく） means arrival and can take する; 到達（とうたつ） means reaching a point or goal. 至る（いたる） also means to reach, but uses a different character.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
到着とうちゃくThe train arrived at the station.
到達とうたつWe reached the top of the mountain.
至るいたるAfter discussion, we reached a conclusion.

Examples

  • 電車でんしゃが駅えきに到着とうちゃくしました。The train arrived at the station.
  • 飛行機ひこうきの到着とうちゃくが遅おくれています。The plane’s arrival is delayed.
  • 荷物にもつは明日あした到着とうちゃくする予定よていです。The package is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
  • 山やまの頂上ちょうじょうに到達とうたつしました。We reached the top of the mountain.
  • 目標もくひょうに到達とうたつするには時間じかんが必要ひつようです。It takes time to reach a goal.
  • 話はなし合あいの末すえ、結論けつろんに至いたりました。After discussion, we reached a conclusion.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

到着 often describes a person, vehicle or package arriving; 到達 also fits an abstract goal. Do not confuse 到着 with 出発, departure.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 到着 in hiragana.

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    とうちゃく

    到着 is とうちゃく: the train arrived at the station. Remember the reading with the whole word.

  2. Write the reading of 到達 in hiragana.

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    とうたつ

    到達 is とうたつ: we reached the mountain summit. It can also describe reaching a goal.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿着（とうちゃく）［到／出］.

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    到

    到 completes 到着（とうちゃく）, arrival; 出発 means departure.

Use it today

Write 到 with the diagram, cover the table, read 到着 and 到達, then make a sentence about a journey.