达到

• Pinyin: dá dào
• Hanzi breakdown: 达 = 辶 (movement) + 大 (big); 到 = 至 (arrive) + 刂 (knife radical)

Meaning

To reach; to achieve; to attain. Used when arriving at a goal, standard, or numerical level.

Commonly used with targets, standards, requirements, or quantities. Emphasises the process of getting to a point or meeting a condition. Often paired with 目标 (goal), 标准 (standard), or 水平 (level).

Examples

1. 这次考试的成绩达到了老师的要求。 The exam results this time met the teacher's requirements.
2. 我们公司的销售额已经达到了一百万。 Our company's sales have already reached one million.
3. 经过长时间的练习，他的水平达到了专业标准。 After long practice, his level reached professional standards.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, work, everyday

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 他的中文水平已经达到了很高的程度。(His Chinese level has already reached a very high degree.)
• 温度达到了三十五度。(The temperature reached 35 degrees.)

Don't Say

• 我达到了北京 (Don't use 达到 for physical arrival at a place — use 到达 instead; 达到 is for abstract goals and standards)

Origin & History

Compound of 达 (reach, arrive at) and 到 (to, arrive), reinforcing the meaning of reaching a destination or goal.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal