Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "着く", "到着する", "至る", "たどり着く"
All represent the core concept "arrive", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
着く
つく (tsuku)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
到着する
とうちゃくする (tōchaku suru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
至る
いたる (itaru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
たどり着く
たどりつく (tadoritsuku)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "arrive" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "着く", "到着する", "至る", "たどり着く" based on context.
- 着く (つく (tsuku) - Level: N4): Maps to "to arrive" and is used when An intransitive verb meaning to arrive at a destination. Often used with the particle に.
- 到着する (とうちゃくする (tōchaku suru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to arrive" and is used when Used to indicate arrival at a destination, typically for transportation.
- 至る (いたる (itaru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to arrive at, to reach, to lead to" and is used when Often implies reaching a specific point, conclusion, or state, sometimes after a long process. More formal than 届く for destinations. Also used in patterns like 〜に至るまで.
- たどり着く (たどりつく (tadoritsuku) - Level: N2): Maps to "to arrive at, to finally reach (after much difficulty), to struggle to reach" and is used when Implies reaching a destination or achieving a goal after a long, difficult, or circuitous journey/process. It emphasizes the effort and struggle involved..
Context for "着く"
飛行機は午後3時に空港に着きます。
The plane will arrive at the airport at 3 PM.
Context for "到着する"
飛行機は定刻通りに空港に到着しました。
The plane arrived at the airport on time.
Context for "至る"
議論は夜遅くまで続き、ついに結論に至った。
The discussion continued until late at night, and finally reached a conclusion.
Context for "たどり着く"
困難を乗り越えて、ついに頂上へたどり着いた。
Overcoming difficulties, we finally reached the summit.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "飛行機は午後3時に空港に着きます。" (Meaning: "The plane will arrive at the airport at 3 PM.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "着く" is correct here because it represents "to arrive" in the context: "The plane will arrive at the airport at 3 PM.".