Translation guide
The English word 'goal' covers several distinct ideas: a target or objective you work toward, a sports score point or area, and a destination. Japanese uses different words for each, and the most natural choice depends on whether you mean a life ambition, a project milestone, a soccer goal, or a finish line.
A desired result or purpose that you work to achieve, such as a personal ambition, a project target, or a company mission.
The most common and versatile word for a goal or target. Used for concrete, measurable objectives in work, study, sports, and personal life.
My goal this year is to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
Refers to a purpose or aim, often more abstract or long-term than 目標. Used for the reason behind an action or the ultimate goal of a project.
A loanword from English, often used in business or casual contexts for a final target or deadline. Can sound trendy but is widely understood.
A slightly formal or literary phrase meaning 'the place/thing one aims for'. Used in speeches or writing to express an ideal or aspiration.
A point scored in a game like soccer, hockey, or basketball, or the act of scoring.
Used for a goal in soccer, hockey, handball, etc. Also the verb 'to score a goal' is ゴールを決める or ゴールする.
The physical structure or area where you score, such as a soccer net or hockey cage.
Refers to the goal frame, net, or area. In soccer, ゴールポスト is goalpost, ゴールネット is goal net.
The end point of a journey, race, or process.
目標 (mokuhyō) is a concrete, measurable target (e.g., pass a test, lose 5 kg). 目的 (mokuteki) is a broader purpose or reason (e.g., self-improvement, happiness). You can have a 目的 (purpose) and set 目標 (goals) to achieve it.
What's your goal in life?
目標を達成するために毎日練習しています。
I practice every day to achieve my goal.
この会議の目的は新しい企画を決めることです。
The goal of this meeting is to decide on a new project.
The project goal is next month.
Our goal is a society where everyone can live in peace.
He scored the winning goal.
They scored two goals in the second half.
A general term for points scored in any sport, including basketball, rugby, or tests. More formal than ゴール.
He scored 30 points in one game.
Refers to a shot on goal, not the goal itself. Sometimes used loosely by learners, but it means the attempt, not the score.
Do not use シュート to mean a goal scored; it means a shot attempt.
The shot went into the goal!
The ball went outside the goal.
Specifically the goal mouth or opening. Used mainly in soccer commentary.
The keeper is guarding the goal mouth.
The destination of a trip or journey. Not used for abstract goals.
We are 5 kilometers from our goal.
Used for the finish line of a race or the final point of a long effort. Common in marathon or project contexts.
He was the first to cross the goal in the marathon.
The last stop or terminus of a train or bus line. Not used for personal goals.
The goal of this train is Tokyo Station.
With the purpose of becoming healthy, I set a goal to walk every day.
While ゴール is common in sports and business, using it for personal life goals can sound unnatural or overly casual. Stick to 目標 for serious personal aims.
The team scored three goals.