Meaning
The kanji 達 (達) is a versatile character in Japanese. Its core meanings revolve around 'reaching,' 'arriving,' 'attaining,' and 'accomplishing.' It can also describe someone as 'skilled' or an 'expert' in a particular field.
For beginners, one of its most common uses is as a suffix to pluralize people, or sometimes animals or personified objects. It functions similarly to adding "-s" or "-es" in English. Given this broad spectrum of meanings, 達 is an essential kanji for JLPT N3 learners to understand.
The kanji's visual structure provides clear hints about its meaning. On the left, the radical 辶 (しんにょう) represents 'road' or 'movement.' This component immediately suggests motion, progression, and traveling towards a destination. You'll find it in many kanji related to movement, such as 道 (road), 送 (send), and 進 (advance).
The right-side component is 羊 (よう), meaning 'sheep.' While sometimes a semantic component, in 達, 羊 primarily functions as a phonetic component, guiding the 'tatsu' pronunciation. However, you can also draw a conceptual link between 羊, representing a 'flock of sheep' or a 'group,' and 達's function as a pluralizing suffix for people. In this way, the kanji combines movement toward a goal with the concept of a group or collection, reflecting its many applications.
The kanji 達 has 12 strokes. It is a Jōyō kanji (常用漢字), one of the 2,136 characters officially designated for common use in Japan. While it isn't assigned to a specific elementary school grade, it is typically introduced and learned around the JLPT N3 level due to its frequency and importance in everyday Japanese.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
On'yomi are pronunciations derived from Chinese. For 達, the primary on'yomi are タツ (TATSU) and a less common ダツ (DATSU).
タツ (TATSU): タツ is the most frequently encountered on'yomi for 達. You'll find it in many compound words related to 'achieving,' 'reaching,' 'developing,' and 'arriving.'
達成 (tassei) — achievement, accomplishment. This term describes successfully completing a goal or task.
発達 (hattatsu) — development, growth. This term is often used in contexts of physical, mental, or societal progress.
到達 (tōtatsu) — arrival, reaching a point. Use this when referring to physically arriving at a location or reaching a specific stage.
ダツ (DATSU): This reading is less common in modern Japanese, especially for N3 learners. While some examples for ダツ exist (e.g., 優達 (yūdatsu) - 'excellence' or 'superiority'), they are quite rare and often appear in older or more specialized vocabulary. For practical purposes at the N3 level, mastering タツ is sufficient.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi are native Japanese readings. For 達, the main kun'yomi are related to its function as a pluralizer and its verb form.
-たち (-tachi): This is an incredibly common suffix. It pluralizes nouns referring to people, and occasionally animals or personified objects, adding the nuance of "and others" or "a group of."
私達 (watashitachi) — we, us (literally "I and others").
子供達 (kodomotachi) — children (literally "child and others").
友達 (tomodachi) — friend(s). Interestingly, even when referring to a single friend, 友達 is used, subtly highlighting 達's underlying 'group' connotation.
たっ.する (tassuru): This is the verb form of 達, meaning 'to reach,' 'to arrive at,' 'to attain,' or 'to amount to.' It's commonly used to describe reaching a goal, a stage, or a certain quantity.
達する (tassuru) — to reach, to arrive at.
目標に達する (mokuhyō ni tassuru) — to reach a goal.
Common Words & Compounds
To truly master 達, it's essential to understand its usage in context. Here are some common words and compounds, categorized by their primary meanings:
Achievement & Progress:
達成 (tassei) — achievement, accomplishment.
Example: 目標を達成する (to achieve a goal).
- 発達 (hattatsu) — development, growth.
Example: 子供の発達 (child's development).
- 上達 (jōtatsu) — improvement, progress (in skill or ability).
Example: 日本語が上達する (to improve one's Japanese).
- 到達 (tōtatsu) — arrival, reaching a destination or point.
Example: 目的地に到達する (to arrive at the destination).
People & Pluralization:
私達 (watashitachi) — we, us.
Example: 私達の家 (our house).
- 子供達 (kodomotachi) — children.
Example: 公園で遊ぶ子供達 (children playing in the park).
- 先生達 (senseitachi) — teachers.
Example: 先生達と会議する (to have a meeting with the teachers).
- 友達 (tomodachi) — friend(s).
Example: 親しい友達 (a close friend).
Communication & Delivery:
伝達 (dentatsu) — transmission, communication (of information).
Example: 情報を伝達する (to transmit information).
- 配達 (haitatsu) — delivery (of goods, mail).
Example: 郵便物を配達する (to deliver mail).
Skill & Proficiency:
達者 (tassha) — healthy; skilled, proficient.
Example: 彼は英語が達者だ (He is proficient in English).
Example Sentences
私達は来週旅行に行きます。
Watashitachi wa raishū ryokō ni ikimasu.
We are going on a trip next week.
子供達が外で元に遊んでいます。
Kodomotachi ga soto de genki ni asonde imasu.
The children are playing cheerfully outside.
私には大切な友達がたくさんいます。
Watashi ni wa taisetsu na tomodachi ga takusan imasu.
I have many important friends.
目標を達成するために、一生懸命努力します。
Mokuhyō o tassei suru tame ni, isshōkenmei doryoku shimasu.
I will work hard to achieve my goal.
最近、科学技術が急速に発達しています。
Saikin, kagaku gijutsu ga kyūsoku ni hattatsu shite imasu.
Recently, scientific technology has been developing rapidly.
彼は日本語の会話が驚くほど上達しました。
Kare wa Nihongo no kaiwa ga odoroku hodo jōtatsu shimashita.
His Japanese conversation skills have improved surprisingly.
重要な情報は直ちに関係者に伝達されました。
Jūyō na jōhō wa tadachi ni kankeisha ni dentatsu saremashita.
Important information was immediately communicated to those concerned.
郵便局は毎日手紙を配達します。
Yūbin kyoku wa mainichi tegami o haitatsu shimasu.
The post office delivers letters every day.
登山隊は無事に頂上に到達しました。
Tozantai wa buji ni chōjō ni tōtatsu shimashita.
The climbing team safely reached the summit.
彼は複数の言語に達者です。
Kare wa fukusū no gengo ni tassha desu.
He is proficient in multiple languages.
Memory Tip
To help remember 達, let's break it down into its components: the 'road' or 'movement' radical 辶 (しんにょう) on the left, and 羊 (ひつじ), meaning 'sheep,' on the right. Imagine a flock of sheep (羊) eagerly moving along a road (辶) to reach their lush pasture. This image helps connect the visual components to the core meaning of 'reach' or 'arrive.' Furthermore, thinking of a 'flock' of sheep can also serve as a mnemonic for 達's function as a pluralizing suffix for groups of people, like in 私達 (we) or 子供達 (children). This vivid image of a group of sheep on the move, reaching their destination, beautifully illustrates the core meanings of 達!