Translation guide
The English verb 'reach' has several core meanings: to arrive at a place, to stretch out one's hand, to contact someone, to achieve a goal, and to extend to a certain point. This guide organizes these meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
To get to a destination after traveling.
The most common verb for arriving at a place. Focuses on the point of arrival.
駅に着いたら電話してください。
Please call me when you reach the station.
A more formal term for arrival, often used in announcements or written contexts.
飛行機はまもなく到着します。
The plane will reach soon.
Implies reaching a place after difficulty or a long journey.
To extend one's arm to touch or grab something.
To get in touch with someone, especially by phone or message.
General verb for contacting someone. Works for phone, email, etc.
彼に連絡しようとしたが、つながらなかった。
I tried to reach him, but I couldn't get through.
To attain a target, such as a goal, agreement, or stage.
Used for reaching goals, targets, or objectives.
目標を達成するために頑張ります。
I will do my best to reach the goal.
To stretch or continue in space or time up to a point.
Used for influence, damage, or extent reaching a certain point.
着く is the everyday verb for arriving. 到着する is more formal and often used in announcements or writing. In casual speech, 着く is preferred.
もう着いた？
Have you arrived yet?
まもなく到着いたします。
We will be arriving shortly.
The loanword リーチ is mainly used in games (e.g., mahjong) or marketing contexts. For physical reaching, use 手を伸ばす or 届く.
やっと山頂にたどり着いた。
We finally reached the summit.
Literally 'stretch out one's hand'. The most natural way to express physically reaching for something.
彼は本棚に手を伸ばした。
He reached for the bookshelf.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to reach' or 'to be able to reach'. Often used when something is within or beyond reach.
その棚は高すぎて届かない。
That shelf is too high; I can't reach it.
Literally 'hand reaches'. Emphasizes the hand's ability to reach something.
天井に手が届きますか。
Can you reach the ceiling?
Means 'to be able to contact' or 'to get hold of' someone.
彼には連絡がつかなかった。
I couldn't reach him.
Specifically for reaching someone by phone (the person answers).
何度かけても電話に出ない。
No matter how many times I call, he doesn't answer (I can't reach him).
Often used for reaching a certain level, age, or stage. More formal.
交渉は合意に達した。
The negotiations reached an agreement.
Can be used metaphorically for reaching a goal or standard, but less common than 達成する.
彼の実力はまだプロのレベルに届いていない。
His ability hasn't reached the professional level yet.
被害は広範囲に及んだ。
The damage reached a wide area.
For physical extension like sound, light, or a road reaching somewhere.
この道は駅まで届いています。
This road reaches as far as the station.
Means 'to extend over' a period or area. Often used for time spans.
会議は長時間にわたった。
The meeting reached (lasted) a long time.