Translation guide
The English word "successful" can describe a person, an attempt, a result, or a career. Japanese uses different expressions depending on what is being described. This guide organizes the most common and natural ways to express these ideas.
プロジェクトは成功した。
The project was successful.
彼女は成功したビジネスウーマンだ。
She is a successful businesswoman.
To say that an action, plan, event, or result was successful or went well.
The most direct and common way to say something was successful. It is the past tense of 成功する (to succeed).
そのプロジェクトは成功した。
The project was successful.
The experiment was successful.
A very common, slightly casual way to say something went well or was successful. It implies things proceeded smoothly.
プレゼンはうまくいった。
The presentation went well (was successful).
計画はうまくいった。
The plan worked out well.
A more formal way to say something ended successfully. Often used in reports or news.
会議は成功裏に終わった。
The meeting concluded successfully.
To say that someone is successful in their career, life, or a particular field.
Used as a pre-noun modifier (成功した人) or predicate. It directly means 'a person who has succeeded'.
彼は成功した実業家だ。
He is a successful businessman.
彼女は若くして成功した。
She became successful at a young age.
Specifically means 'successful in one's career' or 'having climbed the ladder'. It focuses on professional advancement.
彼は若くして出世した。
He rose to success early in his career.
A noun meaning a capable, go-getter type of person who gets things done. Often used for businesspeople.
To say that a business, product, movie, etc. is commercially successful or popular.
Again, the most direct translation. Works for any venture.
その映画は大成功した。
The movie was a huge success.
Used for products, songs, movies, etc. that become hits. Implies commercial success and popularity.
このゲームは世界中でヒットした。
This game was a worldwide hit.
彼の新曲がヒットした。
His new song became a hit.
Literally 'sold well'. A very common, casual way to say a product was commercially successful.
この本はすごく売れた。
This book was very successful (sold a lot).
To say that a method, approach, or strategy is effective and yields success.
Means 'effective'. Often used for methods, measures, or strategies that work well.
これは問題解決に有効な方法だ。
This is a successful method for solving the problem.
Similar to 有効な, meaning 'effective' or 'efficacious'. Slightly more formal.
効果的な学習法を見つけた。
I found a successful study method.
While 成功した人 is fine, simply saying 彼は成功だ (He is success) is unnatural. Use 成功した or 成功している to describe a person's state.
彼は成功している。
He is successful.
成功した is more formal and objective, often used for big achievements. うまくいった is more subjective and casual, focusing on the smoothness of the process. For everyday situations, うまくいった is often more natural.
試験はうまくいった？
Did the exam go well?
試験に成功した。
I passed the exam (succeeded in the exam).
She's a successful saleswoman.