How to say "goal" in Japanese

• 目標もくひょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA goal in the sense of a target or objective you set out to achieve and work toward — the natural choice for aims in study, work, or personal plans.
  売れ行うれゆきは目標もくひょうに達たっしなかった。↗

  Sales fell short of their goal.
• ゴールJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe sports term: the goal itself in games like soccer and hockey, and the act of scoring one; in basketball it corresponds to the basket.
  彼かれはボールをゴールに蹴り入けりいれた。↗

  He kicked the ball into the goal.
• 目的もくてきJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers 'goal' when you mean the purpose or objective behind an action — what something is done for — rather than a target you set and work toward.
  彼かれの目的もくてきはそのテストに合格ごうかくすることです。↗

  His object is to pass the test.
• めどCommon
  nounUsually written in kana alone, this is a working target or milestone rather than a formal goal; for the plain sense of 'goal', 目標 is the safer choice.
• 目的地もくてきちCommon
  nounStrictly a destination: the place you are traveling or heading toward. Use it only when 'goal' refers to that physical endpoint of a journey, not to an aim or ambition.
  私わたしたちは目的地もくてきちに着つかなければならない。↗

  We must get to our destination.

Use 目標 for a goal you set out to achieve, 目的 for the purpose behind an action, 「ゴール」 for goals in sports, 「めど」 for a working target or milestone, and 目的地 for a destination you travel toward.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 目標もくひょうgoal
• ゴールgoal (in soccer, hockey, etc.)
• 目的もくてきpurpose
• めどaim
• 目的地もくてきちdestination (one is heading towards)
• 志こころざしwill
• 目差しめざしaim
• あてどaim
• あるべきideal
• 終着点しゅうちゃくてんfinal destination
• 準的じゅんてきtarget
• 点てんpoint (in a game)
• 趣旨しゅしgoal
• 目当てめあてpurpose
• 前提ぜんていintention
• 方向性ほうこうせいgoal