Translation guide
The English word 'goal' covers several distinct ideas: a target or objective you work toward, a sports score point or area, and a destination. Japanese uses different words for each, and the most natural choice depends on whether you mean a life ambition, a project milestone, a soccer goal, or a finish line.
A desired result or purpose that you work to achieve, such as a personal ambition, a project target, or a company mission.
The most common and versatile word for a goal or target. Used for concrete, measurable objectives in work, study, sports, and personal life.
今年の目標は日本語能力試験に合格することです。
My goal this year is to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
目標を達成するために毎日練習しています。
I practice every day to achieve my goal.
Refers to a purpose or aim, often more abstract or long-term than 目標. Used for the reason behind an action or the ultimate goal of a project.
この会議の目的は新しい企画を決めることです。
The goal of this meeting is to decide on a new project.
A loanword from English, often used in business or casual contexts for a final target or deadline. Can sound trendy but is widely understood.
プロジェクトのゴールは来月です。
The project goal is next month.
A slightly formal or literary phrase meaning 'the place/thing one aims for'. Used in speeches or writing to express an ideal or aspiration.
私たちの目指すところは、誰もが安心して暮らせる社会です。
Our goal is a society where everyone can live in peace.
A point scored in a game like soccer, hockey, or basketball, or the act of scoring.
Used for a goal in soccer, hockey, handball, etc. Also the verb 'to score a goal' is ゴールを決める or ゴールする.
彼が決勝ゴールを決めました。
He scored the winning goal.
後半に2点ゴールを入れられた。
They scored two goals in the second half.
A general term for points scored in any sport, including basketball, rugby, or tests. More formal than ゴール.
Refers to a shot on goal, not the goal itself. Sometimes used loosely by learners, but it means the attempt, not the score.
Do not use シュート to mean a goal scored; it means a shot attempt.
The physical structure or area where you score, such as a soccer net or hockey cage.
Refers to the goal frame, net, or area. In soccer, ゴールポスト is goalpost, ゴールネット is goal net.
ボールがゴールの外に出た。
The ball went outside the goal.
Specifically the goal mouth or opening. Used mainly in soccer commentary.
キーパーがゴールマウスを守っている。
The keeper is guarding the goal mouth.
The end point of a journey, race, or process.
The destination of a trip or journey. Not used for abstract goals.
目的地まであと5キロです。
We are 5 kilometers from our goal.
Used for the finish line of a race or the final point of a long effort. Common in marathon or project contexts.
The last stop or terminus of a train or bus line. Not used for personal goals.
目標 (mokuhyō) is a concrete, measurable target (e.g., pass a test, lose 5 kg). 目的 (mokuteki) is a broader purpose or reason (e.g., self-improvement, happiness). You can have a 目的 (purpose) and set 目標 (goals) to achieve it.
健康になるという目的のために、毎日歩くという目標を立てた。
With the purpose of becoming healthy, I set a goal to walk every day.
While ゴール is common in sports and business, using it for personal life goals can sound unnatural or overly casual. Stick to 目標 for serious personal aims.
人生の目標は何ですか？
What's your goal in life?
チームは3ゴールを決めた。
The team scored three goals.
彼は1試合で30得点をあげた。
He scored 30 points in one game.
シュートがゴールに入った！
The shot went into the goal!
He was the first to cross the goal in the marathon.
この電車の終点は東京駅です。
The goal of this train is Tokyo Station.