Translation guide
The English word 'aim' covers several distinct ideas: having a goal or purpose, physically pointing or directing something, and targeting an audience or effort. Japanese expresses these with different words and patterns.
Expressing what you want to achieve, your intention, or the purpose of an action.
The most common and neutral word for 'aim' as a goal or purpose. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
彼の目的は医者になることです。
His aim is to become a doctor.
この会議の目的は何ですか。
What is the aim of this meeting?
Often used for a concrete target or objective, like a sales target or a goal you work toward. Slightly more tangible than 目的.
今年の売上目標は達成できそうだ。
We are likely to achieve this year's sales aim.
彼女は目標を高く設定した。
She set her aims high.
Literally 'aim' as in aiming a weapon, but commonly used metaphorically for an intention or the point of something. Often implies a strategic aim.
彼の本当の狙いは何ですか。
What is his real aim?
この政策の狙いは景気回復だ。
The aim of this policy is economic recovery.
A verb pattern meaning 'to aim for' or 'to strive for'. Very common for personal goals and career aims.
彼は弁護士を目指している。
He is aiming to become a lawyer.
私たちは世界一を目指しています。
We are aiming to be number one in the world.
A pattern meaning 'to make sure to do' or 'to aim to do', expressing a conscious effort toward a goal.
毎日運動するようにしている。
I aim to exercise every day.
Physically pointing a weapon, camera, or other object at a target.
Transitive verb meaning 'to point' or 'to direct' something at a target. Used for cameras, guns, attention, etc.
彼はカメラを私に向けた。
He aimed the camera at me.
銃を人に向けてはいけない。
Don't aim a gun at people.
Verb meaning 'to aim at' a target, often with a weapon or in a game. Also used metaphorically for targeting an opportunity.
Technical phrase meaning 'to take aim' or 'to align the sights', used in shooting or military contexts.
兵士は照準を合わせて発砲した。
The soldier took aim and fired.
Directing a product, message, or action at a specific group or goal.
Phrase meaning 'to target' or 'to make something the object of'. Used for marketing, policies, etc.
この商品は若者を対象にしている。
This product is aimed at young people.
Same verb as above, but used for targeting a market or demographic.
新製品は女性客を狙っている。
The new product is aimed at female customers.
目的 (mokuteki) is a general purpose or aim. 目標 (mokuhyō) is a concrete target or objective, often with numbers. 狙い (nerai) implies a strategic or sometimes hidden aim. Use 目的 for 'the aim of this project', 目標 for 'sales aim', and 狙い for 'the real aim behind his words'.
English 'aim to do' is often not directly translated. Instead, use 〜ようにする (make an effort to), 〜つもりだ (intend to), or 〜を目指す (strive for). Avoid literal translations like 狙う for general intentions.
He aimed the arrow at the target.
チャンスを狙っている。
I'm aiming for a chance.