届く|とどくtodoku[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, intransitive verbto reach; to touch; to get to; to carry (of sound)
    彼女かのじょの声こえは騒音そうおんでよく届とどかなかった。↗
    Her voice did not carry well over the noise.
    姉あねの髪かみは肩かたまで届とどきます。↗
    My sister's hair reaches to her shoulders.
    ここからでも声こえは届とどくよ。↗
    You can make yourself heard even from here.
  2. godan verb, intransitive verbto be delivered; to arrive
    私あての手紙てがみは届とどいていますか?↗
    Have any letters arrived for me?
  3. godan verb, intransitive verbto be attentive; to be scrupulous; to be thoroughas 目が届く, 神経が届く, etc.
  4. godan verb, intransitive verbto be realized (of a desire); to be fulfilled; to get through (to someone); to be appreciated; to make an impression
Conjugation
Dictionary form届く(とどく)
Polite (masu)届きます(とどきます)
Negative (nai)届かない(とどかない)
polite (masen)届きません(とどきません)
classical zu / nu届かず・届かぬ(とどかず・とどかぬ)
Past (ta)届いた(とどいた)
polite (mashita)届きました(とどきました)
Past negative (nakatta)届かなかった(とどかなかった)
polite (masen deshita)届きませんでした(とどきませんでした)
Te form届いて(とどいて)
Potential届ける(とどける)
Passive届かれる(とどかれる)
Causative届かせる(とどかせる)
Causative passive届かせられる・届かされる(とどかせられる・とどかされる)
Conditional (ba)届けば(とどけば)
tara届いたら(とどいたら)
Volitional届こう(とどこう)
polite (mashou)届きましょう(とどきましょう)
Imperative届け(とどけ)

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

Transitive / intransitive pair
intransitive届くとどく⇄transitive届けるとどける
手紙てがみが届とどく
届く focuses on the item arriving at its destination, while 届ける focuses on the act of delivering it.

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym至るいたるWrittenWritten/formal word for reaching a place, stage, or conclusion, as in 「結論に至る」; 「届く」 centers on delivery or being within reach.
  • Synonym到達とうたつWrittenWritten/formal noun for reaching a target, as in 「目標に到達する」; not the everyday word for mail being delivered.
  • Synonym達するたっするNeutralReaching a figure or level, as in 「目標に達する」; the focus is on attaining a standard, not on physical delivery or reach.
  • Synonym及ぶおよぶNeutralInfluence or scope spreading to somewhere, as in 「被害が及ぶ」; the focus is on extension, not delivery.
  • Synonym着くつくNeutralPeople, vehicles, packages, and letters arriving, as in 「駅に着く」「荷物が着く」; 「届く」 also covers being within reach and sound carrying.
  • Synonym行き着くいきつくNeutralEnding up at a final point or result, as in 「結論に行き着く」; the emphasis is on the endpoint.
  • Related到着とうちゃくNeutralSino-Japanese noun for arrival at a station or destination, as in 「到着時刻」; formal in tone.
  • RelatedくるNeutralThe broadest word for coming or arriving; 「届く」 focuses on being delivered or carried to someone.
  • Related行き届くいきとどくNeutralAttentive, thorough care, as in 「サービスが行き届く」, and by extension reaching a place or degree; 「届く」 centers on delivery and reach.
  • Antonym届かないNeutralThe negative of 「届く」: out of reach, not delivered, or not attained, as in 「手が届かない」.

Use 「届く」 for parcels being delivered, sound carrying, or things within reach. For people or vehicles arriving pick 「着く」 or 「到着」; for hitting a target or standard 「達する」; for influence spreading 「及ぶ」; for thorough care 「行き届く」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. ある物事ものごとが目的もくてきの場所ばしょやある一定いっていの数値すうち、何なんらかの目標もくひょうなどにたどり着つく。
  2. 配達物はいたつぶつなどが目的地もくてきちまで到着とうちゃくする。
  3. 情報じょうほうやしらせ、命令めいれいなどが人ひとに伝つたわる。
  4. 注意ちゅういなどが隅々すみずみまで行いき渡わたっている。行き届いきとどく。
  5. 気持きもちや思おもいが相手あいてに伝つたわる。また、願い事ねがいごとなどが叶かなう。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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