Japanese word

目的

Pronunciation

Romajimokuteki

Meaning

  • nounpurpose

Example

旅行の目的は何ですか。ryo kō no moku teki wa nan de su ka

What is the purpose of the trip?

Illustration for 目的 (purpose)

More examples

このゲームの目的は宝物を見つけることです。ko no gē mu no moku teki wa hō motsu o mi tsu ke ru ko to de su

The purpose of this game is to find treasure.

この旅行では、目的を一つに絞ります。ko no ryo kō de wa moku teki o hito tsu ni shibo ri ma su

On this trip, we will focus on one purpose.

Core concept

Points to the intended end of an action and the reason for pursuing it.

Common phrases

  • 旅行の目的ryo kō no moku teki

    purpose of a trip

  • 目的を達成するmoku teki o tas sei su ru

    achieve a purpose

  • 目的を確認するmoku teki o kaku nin su ru

    confirm the purpose

Similar words

意図ito: The reason an action is planned or carried out.
目標mokuhyō: A result or standard set as something to reach.
狙いnerai: The result that a person hopes an action will produce.

Definition in Japanese

行動の理由となる、実現しようとする事柄。kō dō no ri yū to na ru jitsu gen shi yō to su ru koto gara

Word origin

目的 (mokuteki) is formed from the Sino-Japanese readings of 目 (moku, "eye") and 的 (teki, "target"), giving the compound the sense of a target for an action.

Usage tips

  • 目的 (mokuteki) and 目標 (mokuhyō) overlap, but 目標 more often suggests a concrete result or standard to reach.

Other meanings

  • goalnoun

Word lists with this word