奏功|そうこうsoukou[0]heiban (flat)

Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbsuccess; achievement; fruition
Conjugation
Dictionary form奏功する(そうこうする)
Polite (masu)奏功します(そうこうします)
Negative (nai)奏功しない(そうこうしない)
polite (masen)奏功しません(そうこうしません)
classical zu / nu奏功せず・奏功せぬ(そうこうせず・そうこうせぬ)
Past (ta)奏功した(そうこうした)
polite (mashita)奏功しました(そうこうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)奏功しなかった(そうこうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)奏功しませんでした(そうこうしませんでした)
Te form奏功して(そうこうして)
Potential奏功できる(そうこうできる)
Passive奏功される(そうこうされる)
Causative奏功させる(そうこうさせる)
Causative passive奏功させられる(そうこうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)奏功すれば(そうこうすれば)
tara奏功したら(そうこうしたら)
Volitional奏功しよう(そうこうしよう)
polite (mashou)奏功しましょう(そうこうしましょう)
Imperative奏功しろ(そうこうしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym成功せいこうNeutralThe most widely used word: success in achieving an aim, and also worldly success or rising in status; much broader than 「奏功」.
  • RelatedサクセスNeutralLoanword for success, mostly seen in 「サクセスストーリー」; rarely used on its own.
  • Related達成たっせいNeutralAchieving a set goal, as in 「目標達成」; stresses completing a planned target rather than a measure taking effect.
  • Related大成たいせいNeutralCompleting a great undertaking through long effort, or attaining eminence in a field; stresses long-term buildup, while 「奏功」 is a measure taking effect.
  • Related上首尾じょうしゅびWrittenRare, old-fashioned written word for a happy outcome or things going smoothly; it stresses the good end result, while 「奏功」 stresses a measure taking effect.
  • Antonym失敗しっぱいNeutralAntonym: failure or a blunder; it stands opposite 「奏功」, which describes a measure working as intended.

Use 「奏功」 when a measure or step produces results, as in 「作戦が奏功する」; it is common in news writing. For success in general use 「成功」, for reaching a target 「達成」, and the antonym is 「失敗」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 功こうを奏そうすること。物事ものごとが成就じょうじゅすること。成果せいかが現あらわれること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

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