Japanese word

たどり着く

Pronunciation

Romajitadoritsuku

Meaning

verbarrive at

Example

長い旅の末、村にたどり着きました。naga i tabi no sue mura ni ta do ri tsu ki ma shi ta

I finally arrived at the village after a long journey.

More examples

地図を頼りに、暗くなる前にたどり着きました。chi zu o tayo ri ni kura ku na ru mae ni ta do ri tsu ki ma shi ta

Using a map, I reached my destination before dark.

Core concept

Presents arrival at a place as the result of following a path through a long or difficult process.

Common phrases

目的地にたどり着くmoku teki chi ni ta do ri tsu ku
arrive at one's destination
答えにたどり着くkota e ni ta do ri tsu ku
reach the answer
結論にたどり着くketsu ron ni ta do ri tsu ku
reach a conclusion

Similar words

着くtsuku: To arrive at a place through ordinary travel or movement.
行き着くikitsuku: To reach a place after following a route to its end.
到着するtōchakusuru: To arrive at a destination in formal or written language.

Definition in Japanese

長い道のりや困難の末に、目的地へ行き着くこと。naga i michi no ri ya kon nan no sue ni moku teki chi e i ki tsu ku ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese compound たどり着く (tadoritsuku) joins たどる (tadoru, "to follow a route") with 着く (tsuku, "to arrive"), linking a path with its destination.

Usage tips

In travel writing, たどり着く (tadoritsuku) often marks the end of a difficult route, while simple 着く (tsuku) can describe arrival without that added sense.

Other meanings

find one's way toverb

Opposites

出発するshuppatsusurudepartverb