成功

• Reading: せいこう
• Romaji: seikou
• Kanji breakdown: 成 (sei) — to become, accomplish; 功 (kou) — merit, achievement
• Pronunciation: /seː.koː/

Meaning

Success. Achieving a desired aim or result.

A suru-verb (成功する) used as an intransitive verb — the subject succeeds. Often takes に to indicate what was succeeded in. One of the most common abstract nouns in Japanese, used across all registers from casual conversation to formal writing.

Examples

1. 何度も失敗したが、最後に成功した。 I failed many times, but I finally succeeded.
2. イベントが大成功に終わってうれしかった。 I was glad that the event ended as a huge success.
3. 成功するためには努力だけでなく運も必要だ。 To succeed, you need not only effort but also luck.

Usage Guide

Context: achievement, business, personal goals

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Compound of 成 (sei, to become/accomplish) and 功 (kou, merit/achievement). Literally 'accomplishing merit' — achieving something worthy through effort.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal