Translation guide
The English word "successful" can describe a person, an attempt, a result, or a career. Japanese uses different expressions depending on what is being described. This guide organizes the most common and natural ways to express these ideas.
The project was successful.
She is a successful businesswoman.
To say that an action, plan, event, or result was successful or went well.
The most direct and common way to say something was successful. It is the past tense of 成功する (to succeed).
The project was successful.
The experiment was successful.
A very common, slightly casual way to say something went well or was successful. It implies things proceeded smoothly.
The presentation went well (was successful).
A more formal way to say something ended successfully. Often used in reports or news.
The meeting concluded successfully.
To say that someone is successful in their career, life, or a particular field.
Used as a pre-noun modifier (成功した人) or predicate. It directly means 'a person who has succeeded'.
To say that a business, product, movie, etc. is commercially successful or popular.
Again, the most direct translation. Works for any venture.
To say that a method, approach, or strategy is effective and yields success.
Means 'effective'. Often used for methods, measures, or strategies that work well.
While 成功した人 is fine, simply saying 彼は成功だ (He is success) is unnatural. Use 成功した or 成功している to describe a person's state.
He is successful.
成功した is more formal and objective, often used for big achievements. うまくいった is more subjective and casual, focusing on the smoothness of the process. For everyday situations, うまくいった is often more natural.
計画はうまくいった。
The plan worked out well.
He is a successful businessman.
She became successful at a young age.
Specifically means 'successful in one's career' or 'having climbed the ladder'. It focuses on professional advancement.
He rose to success early in his career.
A noun meaning a capable, go-getter type of person who gets things done. Often used for businesspeople.
She's a successful saleswoman.
The movie was a huge success.
Used for products, songs, movies, etc. that become hits. Implies commercial success and popularity.
This game was a worldwide hit.
His new song became a hit.
Literally 'sold well'. A very common, casual way to say a product was commercially successful.
This book was very successful (sold a lot).
This is a successful method for solving the problem.
Similar to 有効な, meaning 'effective' or 'efficacious'. Slightly more formal.
I found a successful study method.
試験はうまくいった？
Did the exam go well?
I passed the exam (succeeded in the exam).