Meaning and Usage
The verb 届く (とどく) primarily means "to reach" or "to arrive." It is commonly used when something physically arrives at a destination, such as a package or letter. It can also describe sounds or signals reaching a certain distance.
Common Contexts
- Physical delivery: 荷物が届く (a package arrives)
- Sound reaching a place: 声が届く (a voice reaches)
- Abstract reaching: 書類が届く (documents being received by someone)
Collocations and Patterns
- 荷物が届く: used when talking about parcels or shipments arriving.
- 手紙が届く: when letters arrive.
- 声が届く: when a voice or sound can be heard at a distance.
- 届ける vs 届く: 届ける is the transitive form meaning "to deliver" or "to send," while 届く is intransitive, meaning "to arrive" or "to be delivered."
Register and Politeness
届く is neutral and commonly used in both casual and formal contexts. When speaking politely, it is often combined with ます form (届きます).
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 届く (intransitive) with 届ける (transitive). Remember, 届く means "something reaches or arrives," while 届ける means "to send or deliver something."