Translation guide
The English word 'reaching' can express physical extension, arriving at a place, achieving a goal, or contacting someone. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
To stretch out your arm or body to touch, grab, or access something.
Literally 'extend one's hand'. The most common way to say 'reach for something'.
He reached for the book on the shelf.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to reach' or 'to be within reach'. Used when something is reachable.
I can't reach that switch.
Phrase meaning 'one's hand reaches'. Often used for physical reach or affordability.
I can afford this price. (lit. my hand can reach it)
To get to a place, especially after a journey.
General verb for 'arrive'. Use with particle に for the destination.
Call me when you reach the station.
Formal 'arrive'. Common in announcements and written language.
We will soon reach Tokyo.
To finally arrive after difficulty. Emphasizes the effort.
To attain a target, standard, or agreement.
To achieve a goal, target, or record. Common in business and personal contexts.
I'll do my best to reach the goal.
To reach a certain level, amount, or state. Often used with numbers or abstract nouns.
Fixed phrase: 'reach an agreement'. Formal.
The two countries reached an agreement.
To get in touch with someone, especially by phone or message.
To contact or get in touch. The most common verb for reaching someone.
I tried to reach him, but couldn't get through.
To be able to reach/contact someone. Intransitive phrase.
I couldn't reach him.
Specifically for getting through on the phone.
No matter how many times I call, I can't reach them.
To stretch over a period or distance.
届く (todoku) is for things reaching a point (mail, sound, hand), while 着く (tsuku) is for people/vehicles arriving. Don't use 着く for objects.
The English idiom 'reach out' (to contact/help) does not translate literally. Use 連絡する for contacting, or 手を差し伸べる for offering help.
Reach out to those in need.
We finally reached the summit.
気温が40度に達した。
The temperature reached 40 degrees.
The meeting lasted (reached) three hours.