達成 in 30 Seconds
- 達成 (tassei) means achieving a specific goal through effort.
- It is commonly used as a suru-verb: 達成する (tassei suru).
- It differs from 'success' (seikou) by focusing on specific targets.
- The phrase 'tasseikan' refers to the feeling of accomplishment.
The Japanese term 達成 (たっせい - tassei) is a powerful noun and suru-verb that encapsulates the essence of reaching a predetermined destination, whether that destination is a physical goal, a professional milestone, or a personal ambition. At its core, it combines two significant kanji: 達 (tatsu), meaning to reach, arrive, or attain, and 成 (naru), meaning to become, form, or succeed. Together, they describe the culmination of effort where a plan or desire transforms into a tangible reality.
- Core Concept
- The successful completion of a specific objective through persistent effort and action.
- Grammatical Function
- Primarily used as a noun or combined with 'suru' to form a transitive verb (～を達成する).
- Nuance
- Unlike 'seikou' (success), which is broad, 'tassei' implies a measurable target was met.
「ついに目標を達成しました！」 (I finally achieved the goal!)
In the Japanese mindset, 達成 is deeply linked to the concept of 'keikaku' (planning). You don't usually 'tassei' something by accident; it is the result of a deliberate process. This word is ubiquitous in business reports, sports commentary, and academic settings. It carries a sense of closure and satisfaction, often followed by a celebration or the setting of a new, higher target. It is the 'finish line' of a marathon, the 'quota' of a salesperson, and the 'graduation' of a student.
売上目標の達成は、チーム全員の努力の結果です。
- Synonym Contrast
- 成就 (Jouju): Used for prayers or romantic desires coming true.
完遂 (Kansui): Used for completing a difficult mission to the very end.
Using 達成 correctly requires understanding its relationship with objects. Since it is a transitive concept, you are almost always achieving *something*. The most common particle used is を (wo). For example, mokuhyou wo tassei suru (to achieve a goal). It is formal enough for business but common enough for daily life.
- Business: Used for KPIs, sales targets, and project milestones.
- Sports: Used for records (e.g., scoring 100 goals).
- Personal: Used for weight loss goals, study hours, or savings.
彼は前人未到の記録を達成した。
When used as a noun, it often appears in compound words like 達成感 (tasseikan), which means 'a sense of achievement.' This is a very common psychological term in Japan. People often say, 'I want to work a job where I can feel a sense of achievement' (達成感のある仕事がしたい).
You will encounter 達成 in several distinct environments. In the corporate world, it is the star of the 'shimei' (mission) and 'noruma' (quota). During quarterly reviews, managers will ask, 'Mokuhyou wa tassei dekisou desu ka?' (Is it likely the goal will be achieved?).
In video games, the English word 'Achievement' is often translated as 達成項目 (tassei koumoku) or simply 達成. When you clear a difficult stage, a large banner might flash across the screen saying 'Mission Accomplished' or '任務達成' (Ninmu Tassei).
「ノルマを達成しないと、帰れないんだ。」
In news and media, it is used for societal milestones. 'The vaccination rate reached 80%' would use 達成. 'The company reached its 100th anniversary' might use 達成 if the focus is on the effort to survive that long. It conveys a sense of official recognition and objective reality.
The most frequent mistake learners make is confusing 達成 (tassei) with 成功 (seikou). While both relate to success, they are not interchangeable. 成功 is the state of being successful or the positive outcome of an event. 達成 is the specific act of hitting a target.
- ❌ 結婚を達成した (Achieved marriage) - Sounds like a business transaction.
- ✅ 結婚できた (Was able to marry) - More natural.
- ❌ 試験に達成した (Achieved to the exam) - Incorrect particle and logic.
- ✅ 試験に合格した (Passed the exam) - Specific term for exams.
Another mistake is using it for simple tasks. You don't 'achieve' washing the dishes (unless it was a massive, week-long goal). For daily chores, use 終わらせる (owaraseru) or 済ませる (sumaseru).
To truly master 達成, you must know its neighbors in the semantic field. Each has a specific flavor of 'completion'.
- 到達 (Toutatsu)
- Focuses on the physical or numerical arrival at a point. 'Reaching the summit' or 'Reaching a certain age'.
- 成就 (Jouju)
- Used for abstract, often spiritual or emotional fulfillments. 'Koi no jouju' (fulfillment of love).
- 完遂 (Kansui)
- Emphasizes carrying out a plan to the very end, often despite great difficulty. It has a 'mission-oriented' feel.
- 履行 (Rikou)
- Used for legal or formal obligations. 'Fulfilling a contract'.
長年の夢がようやく成就した。
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
～を～にする (making something...)
～ことができる (can do...)
～ために (in order to...)
～ように (so that...)
～てはじめて (only after...)
Examples by Level
目標を達成しました。
I achieved the goal.
Simple noun + を + suru verb.
今日、一万歩を達成した。
Today, I achieved 10,000 steps.
Using a specific number as the object.
テストで百点を達成したい。
I want to achieve 100 points on the test.
Tai-form (want to).
彼は目標を達成した。
He achieved the goal.
Past tense 'shita'.
みんなで達成しましょう！
Let's achieve it together!
Mashou form (let's).
達成は難しいですか？
Is achievement difficult?
Noun + wa + adjective + desu ka.
ついに達成した！
Finally achieved it!
Adverb 'tsuini' (finally).
この本を読んで達成感がある。
I have a sense of achievement from reading this book.
Noun 'tasseikan' (sense of achievement).
今月の売上目標を達成した。
I achieved this month's sales goal.
Compound noun 'uriage mokuhyou'.
毎日三十分歩くことを達成した。
I achieved walking for 30 minutes every day.
Verb nominalization 'koto'.
彼は五年でその目標を達成した。
He achieved that goal in five years.
Time duration + 'de'.
達成するために頑張ります。
I will do my best to achieve it.
Tame ni (in order to).
ゲームのミッションを達成した。
I achieved the game mission.
Katakana 'mission'.
達成感を感じる仕事がしたい。
I want to do a job where I feel a sense of achievement.
Relative clause modifying 'shigoto'.
目標達成まであと少しです。
It's just a little more until the goal is achieved.
Made (until) + ato sukoshi.
どうやって達成しましたか？
How did you achieve it?
Dou yatte (how/by what means).
プロジェクトは予定通りに達成された。
The project was achieved as scheduled.
Passive voice 'tassei sareta'.
高い目標を達成するのは大変だ。
Achieving a high goal is difficult.
No wa (nominalizing the phrase).
彼はついに世界記録を達成した。
He finally achieved a world record.
Compound 'sekai kiroku'.
目標を達成できなくて残念だ。
It's a pity I couldn't achieve the goal.
Potential negative 'tassei dekinakute'.
努力すれば、必ず達成できる。
If you make an effort, you can definitely achieve it.
Ba-conditional (if).
チームの協力で目標達成に至った。
Team cooperation led to the achievement of the goal.
Ni itatta (led to/arrived at).
自己ベストを達成して嬉しい。
I'm happy to have achieved my personal best.
Te-form for reason/cause.
達成の鍵は計画性にあります。
The key to achievement lies in planning.
Noun 'tassei' + no + kagi.
ノルマ達成のために残業を強いられた。
I was forced to work overtime to achieve the quota.
Passive causative 'shiirareta'.
環境保護の目標達成が急務である。
Achieving environmental protection goals is an urgent task.
Formal 'kyuumu' (urgent task).
彼は困難を乗り越えて目標を達成した。
He overcame difficulties and achieved his goal.
Norikoete (overcoming).
達成の見込みは十分にあります。
There is a good prospect of achievement.
Mikomi (prospect/likelihood).
目標達成率は昨年を上回った。
The goal achievement rate exceeded last year's.
Tassei-ritsu (achievement rate).
何をもって達成とするかは難しい。
It is difficult to define what constitutes achievement.
Nani wo motte... to suru (what to define as...).
早期達成によりボーナスが支給された。
A bonus was paid due to early achievement.
Ni yori (due to/by means of).
彼女は政治的な目的を達成した。
She achieved her political objectives.
Seijiteki na mokuteki.
悲願の優勝をようやく達成した。
They finally achieved the long-awaited championship.
Higan (long-cherished desire).
自己実現のプロセスにおいて達成は不可欠だ。
Achievement is indispensable in the process of self-actualization.
Fukakesu (indispensable).
形骸化した目標を達成しても意味がない。
There is no meaning in achieving a goal that has become a mere formality.
Keigaika (becoming a shell/formality).
達成への執念が彼を突き動かした。
His obsession with achievement drove him forward.
Shuunen (obsession/tenacity).
量的達成のみならず、質的向上も求める。
We seek not only quantitative achievement but also qualitative improvement.
Nomi narazu (not only).
未曾有の難局を乗り越え、偉業を達成した。
They overcame an unprecedented crisis and achieved a great feat.
Mizou (unprecedented) + igyou (great feat).
目標達成が自己目的化してはならない。
Achieving the goal must not become an end in itself.
Jiko mokutekika (becoming an end in itself).
彼は学術的な真理の達成に一生を捧げた。
He dedicated his life to the attainment of academic truth.
Sasageta (dedicated).
究極の真理を達成することは、凡夫には叶わぬ夢だ。
Attaining the ultimate truth is an unattainable dream for ordinary people.
Bonpu (ordinary person) + kanawanu (unattainable).
その政策は、国民の福祉向上という大義を達成した。
The policy achieved the noble cause of improving national welfare.
Taigi (noble cause).
達成のプロセスにこそ、人間の実存的価値が宿る。
The existential value of a human being resides in the process of achievement itself.
Jitsuzonteki (existential).
不可能な任務の完遂は、奇跡的な達成と言える。
The completion of an impossible mission can be called a miraculous achievement.
Kisekiteki (miraculous).
彼は権力の頂点を極め、野望を達成したかに見えた。
He reached the pinnacle of power and seemed to have achieved his ambitions.
Yabou (ambition).
社会契約の理念を達成するための不断の努力が必要だ。
Constant effort is needed to achieve the ideals of the social contract.
Fudan (constant/ceaseless).
言葉による表現の限界を達成しようと試みる詩人。
A poet attempting to reach the limits of expression through words.
Genkai (limit).
経済的自立の達成は、個人の尊厳を守る第一歩である。
Achieving economic independence is the first step in protecting individual dignity.
Songen (dignity).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
Word Family
Related
How to Use It
Can be used for both tiny daily goals and massive life achievements.
It is a transitive verb, so it needs an object.
Almost always carries a positive or neutral connotation.
- Using 'ni' instead of 'wo' (e.g., 目標に達成する is wrong).
- Using it for 'passing' an exam (use 合格 instead).
- Using it for natural events (e.g., 'The rain achieved').
- Confusing the kanji 達 with 建 (build).
- Overusing it for very trivial tasks like 'achieving eating lunch'.
Tips
Pair with Mokuhyou
Always remember 'Mokuhyou wo tassei suru'. It's the most common pairing.
Suru-Verb
Don't forget it's a suru-verb. You can use it as 'tassei shita', 'tassei shite', etc.
Tasseikan
Use 'tasseikan ga aru' to describe that satisfied feeling after a long day of work.
KPIs
In a Japanese office, 'tassei' is the word for hitting your KPIs.
Flashcards
Put '達成' on a card with a picture of a trophy.
Intonation
Keep it flat (Heiban style). Don't stress any particular syllable.
Kanji
Practice the kanji for 'Tatsu' (達). It has many strokes but is very common.
vs Seikou
Use 'tassei' for the 'what' and 'seikou' for the 'how'.
News
Listen for 'tassei' in economic reports regarding growth rates.
Small Wins
Even small tasks can be 'tassei'. Use it to celebrate your Japanese study progress!
Memorize It
Word Origin
Sino-Japanese (Kango) origin, combining the concepts of 'reaching' and 'forming/becoming'.
Cultural Context
Japan has a huge culture of 'completionism' in games, often called 'yarikomi'.
Meeting quotas is seen as a duty to the group, not just personal gain.
The 'Radio Calisthenics' (Rajio Taiso) cards for kids are a classic example of daily 'tassei' through stickers.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"最近、何か達成したことはありますか？ (Have you achieved anything recently?)"
"目標を達成するために、何をしていますか？ (What are you doing to achieve your goals?)"
"達成感を感じる瞬間はいつですか？ (When do you feel a sense of achievement?)"
"今年の目標は達成できそうですか？ (Does it look like you'll achieve this year's goals?)"
"どうすれば目標を達成できると思いますか？ (How do you think one can achieve their goals?)"
Journal Prompts
今日達成した小さなことを三つ書いてください。 (Write three small things you achieved today.)
人生で一番の達成は何でしたか？ (What was your greatest achievement in life?)
達成感を得るために、明日何をしますか？ (What will you do tomorrow to get a sense of achievement?)
目標を達成できなかった時、どう自分を励ましますか？ (How do you encourage yourself when you fail to achieve a goal?)
10年後の自分は、何を達成していると思いますか？ (What do you think you will have achieved in 10 years?)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually, '合格 (goukaku)' is used for exams. However, you can say '試験に合格するという目標を達成した' (I achieved the goal of passing the exam).
Only if the movement is a goal, like 'reaching the summit.' Otherwise, use '到着 (touchaku)' for arrival.
成就 is more for dreams, prayers, or love. 達成 is more for practical, measurable goals.
Yes, it is very common. Japanese people value the feeling of accomplishment highly.
Rarely. You wouldn't say 'I achieved a mistake.' It implies a desired outcome.
You use '未達成 (mitassei)'.
It is neutral to formal. It's safe to use in almost any context.
No, you achieve goals, not people.
Yes, 'tassei' usually implies that some level of effort was involved.
Yes, '目標達成 (mokuhyou tassei)' is a very common compound noun.
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Summary
達成 is the go-to word for hitting targets, whether they are sales quotas, personal records, or long-term dreams. It implies a journey of effort ending in a measurable result.
- 達成 (tassei) means achieving a specific goal through effort.
- It is commonly used as a suru-verb: 達成する (tassei suru).
- It differs from 'success' (seikou) by focusing on specific targets.
- The phrase 'tasseikan' refers to the feeling of accomplishment.
Pair with Mokuhyou
Always remember 'Mokuhyou wo tassei suru'. It's the most common pairing.
Suru-Verb
Don't forget it's a suru-verb. You can use it as 'tassei shita', 'tassei shite', etc.
Tasseikan
Use 'tasseikan ga aru' to describe that satisfied feeling after a long day of work.
KPIs
In a Japanese office, 'tassei' is the word for hitting your KPIs.
Example
目標を達成しました。
Related Content
More Actions words
取得
A1取得 (shutoku) refers to the formal act of obtaining, acquiring, or gaining possession of something, such as a qualification, license, or legal right. It is most commonly used in official, business, or academic contexts to describe the successful completion of requirements to earn a specific status.
動作
A1動作 (dousa) refers to a physical movement, action, or the functioning of a machine or software. It describes how a person moves their body or how a device operates its specific tasks.
進行
A1The act of moving forward or making progress in a task, event, or physical direction. It is frequently used to describe how an organized activity, like a meeting or a project, is being conducted according to a schedule.
中止
A1Chūshi refers to the cancellation or suspension of an event, plan, or action that was scheduled or already in progress. It implies that the activity has stopped and will not continue as originally intended, often due to external factors like weather or changing circumstances.
挑戦
A1A noun or verb indicating the act of taking on a difficult task or trying something new and ambitious. It emphasizes the effort and courage required to face a goal that is not easily achieved.
完了
A1The act of finishing a task, process, or requirement completely. It is commonly used to indicate that a specific action or sequence of steps has reached its end.
熟考
A1Deep consideration or careful thought about a matter over a period of time. It involves weighing different options or consequences seriously before reaching a conclusion or decision.
決定
A1Kettei refers to the act of making a final choice or settling on a specific plan after considering various options. It is a formal term often used when a conclusion is reached in an official, business, or serious context.
努力
A1The act of exerting physical or mental power to achieve a specific goal or purpose. It is commonly used as a noun or combined with the verb 'suru' to mean 'to make an effort' or 'to strive.'
失敗
A1A noun meaning failure or a mistake made when something does not go as planned. It is very commonly used with the verb 'suru' to mean 'to fail' or 'to make a mistake' in various situations.
