到达

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

Meaning

To arrive; to reach a destination. Used for reaching a physical location or point in time.

A more formal synonym of 到 (to arrive). Often used in announcements, travel contexts, and written language. Contrasts with 达到, which means to achieve a goal or standard rather than arriving somewhere.

Examples

1. 飞机预计下午三点到达北京。 The plane is expected to arrive in Beijing at three in the afternoon.
2. 我们到达酒店的时候已经很晚了。 It was already very late when we arrived at the hotel.
3. 火车到达终点站后，所有人都下车了。 After the train reached the terminal station, everyone got off.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, announcements, logistics

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 列车即将到达下一站。(The train is about to arrive at the next station.)
• 我们安全到达了目的地。(We arrived at the destination safely.)

Don't Say

• 我到达了很好的成绩 (Don't use 到达 for abstract achievements — use 达到 for goals and standards; 到达 is for physical destinations)

Origin & History

Compound of 到 (arrive at) and 达 (reach), reinforcing the meaning of arriving at a destination. Note the reversed character order from 达到.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal