How to Say "Destination" in Japanese

目的地

mokutekichi[mo̞kɯ̟te̞kʲit͡ɕi]

The Japanese word for destination is 目的地 (mokutekichi).

目的地 is a noun used to refer to the place set for the end of a journey or the place to which something is sent.

Meaning: the place set for the end of a journey, or to which something is sent (noun)

How does it change in a sentence?

When expressing movement toward a destination, the particle に is used to indicate the goal or direction of the motion, as seen in the phrase 目的地に.

mokutekichi

The word 目的 (mokuteki) inside 目的地 can mean 'purpose' or 'intent' on its own. In Japanese, the 'destination' of a physical journey and the 'goal' of a life ambition use the same root word.
When using a taxi in Japan, drivers will often ask for your 行き先 (yukisaki) rather than your 目的地 (mokutekichi), as the latter can sound overly formal or like a military objective.
The word 目的地 contains the character 的, which functions as a suffix to turn a noun into an adjective. This makes the word literally translate to 'goal-like place'.

目的地はどこなの？
What's your destination?
This sentence is useful for asking what a person's destination is using the form 目的地.
Tatoeba #10135954 by small_snow, translation #2234170 by CK
最終目的地はどこですか？
What is your final destination?
This sentence is useful for asking about a final destination using the form 目的地.
Tatoeba #10135960 by small_snow, translation #735917 by cruzedu73
１週間で目的地に到着した。
I reached my destination in a week.
This sentence is useful for describing reaching a destination using the form 目的地.
Tatoeba #10637328 by bunbuku, translation #252468 by CM
すみません、目的地はどこですか？
Excuse me, where is the destination?
電車の行き先は東京です。
The train's destination is Tokyo.
明日のデート、行き先はどこがいい？
Where should we go for tomorrow's date?
10 more sentences on Tatoeba

Hiyori and Kenta are checking a map during a trip.

陽葵 Himari

目的地まであとどのくらい？
Mokutekichi made ato dono kurai?
How much further to the destination?
健太 Kenta

あと１０分で着くよ。
Ato juppun de tsuku yo.
We'll arrive in ten minutes.
陽葵 Himari

目的地はきれいな場所かな？
Mokutekichi wa kireina basho kana?
I wonder if the destination is a beautiful place?
健太 Kenta

きっといいところだよ。
Kitto ii tokoro da yo.
I'm sure it's a great place.

Sources

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