Meaning and Usage
"到着" (とうちゃく) means "arrival" and is commonly used to describe the act of reaching a destination, whether it be a person, vehicle, or shipment. It is a noun but often appears with verbs like する (to do) to form 到着する (to arrive).
Common Contexts
You will frequently see 到着 used in transportation contexts such as trains, buses, flights, and deliveries. It is also used in everyday conversation when talking about arriving somewhere.
Collocations and Patterns
- 到着する: to arrive (most common verb form)
- 到着時間: arrival time
- 到着予定: expected arrival
- 到着後: after arrival
Register and Politeness
到着 is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When combined with polite verbs or expressions, it fits well in business or customer service situations.
Learner Tips
A common mistake is confusing 到着 with 出発 (しゅっぱつ, departure). Remember 到着 focuses on the end point of a journey. Also, avoid using 到着 alone as a verb; use 到着する instead for "to arrive."