果たす

• Reading: はたす
• Romaji: hatasu
• Kanji breakdown: 果 (ka/ha) — result, end, accomplish
• Pronunciation: /ha.ta.sɯ/

Meaning

To fulfil; to accomplish; to carry out completely. Implies seeing something important through to its conclusion.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conveying completion with a strong sense of duty or purposefulness. Common collocations include 役割を果たす (fulfil a role), 義務を果たす (fulfil one's duty), 夢を果たす (fulfil a dream), 約束を果たす (keep a promise). The completion nuance is stronger than simply 終える or 完成させる — it implies that something morally or personally significant has been seen through to the end.

Examples

1. 長年の夢を果たし、彼女はついに世界一周を達成した。 Having fulfilled her lifelong dream, she finally completed a trip around the world.
2. リーダーとして自分の役割を果たすことが、今の最優先事項だ。 Fulfilling my role as a leader is my top priority right now.
3. 彼はチームへの義務を果たした後、静かに引退した。 After carrying out his obligations to the team, he quietly retired.

Usage Guide

Context: duty, goals, accomplishment, leadership

Tone: resolute

Origin & History

From Old Japanese はたす, combining 果て (hate, end/limit) with the causative suffix す (su). The literal sense is 'to cause to reach its end' — to bring something fully to completion. Related to 果てる (hateru, to come to an end).

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal