成功した
seikō shita
The English word "successful" is translated into Japanese as 成功した (seikō shita).
成功した is used to describe something that has resulted in success.
Meaning: resulting in success (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 成功した (seikō shita) is used to describe a completed state of being successful, the noun 成功 (seikō) refers to the abstract concept of success itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 成功した functions as a pre-noun adjectival phrase, which means it can be placed directly before a noun to describe it.
How do you pronounce it?
seikō shita
Did you know?
- While 成功した means 'successful', Japanese people often avoid claiming success directly due to cultural modesty, preferring phrases like おかげさまで (thanks to others) to attribute the success to outside help.
- If you want to say a business is 'successful' in terms of being profitable, Japanese speakers often prefer 繁盛している (hanjō shite iru), which evokes the image of a shop being crowded with customers.
- The kanji for success, 成功, uses the character 功 (kō), which is the same character found in words for 'merit', 'achievement', or 'service to the state'.
Examples in context
- 手術は成功したよ。The operation was successful.This sentence shows how to use 成功した to describe a successful operation.Tatoeba #10298681 by small_snow, translation #3734408 by CK
- シルヴィオ・ベルルスコーニはイタリアの政治家、現在のイタリア首相、また成功した実業家。Silvio Berlusconi is an Italian politician, the current Prime Minister of Italy, as well as a successful entrepreneur.This sentence uses 成功した to describe a successful entrepreneur.Tatoeba #390717 by Scott, translation #390714 by Scott
- 自分はいつも人力車と牛鍋とを、明治時代が西洋から輸入して作ったものの中で一番成功したものと信じている。I've always thought that rickshaws and sukiyaki were the most successful amongst the products made from what was imported from the West during the Meiji period.This sentence uses 成功した to describe products that were successful among those imported during the Meiji period.Tatoeba #547250 by Scott, translation #547255 by Scott
- 彼は成功したビジネスマンです。He is a successful businessman.
- 彼は出世を目指して頑張っています。He is striving for career success.
- 彼はピアノが上手だから、成功するでしょう。Since he is good at playing the piano, he will likely succeed.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new business venture.
- 蓮 Ren新しいビジネスは成功した？Atarashii bijinesu wa seikou shita?Was the new business successful?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、とても成功したよ。Un, totemo seikou shita yo.Yes, it was very successful.
- 蓮 Renそれは本当によかったね！Sore wa hontou ni yokatta ne!That is really great!
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、蓮くん。Arigatou, Ren-kun.Thank you, Ren.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “successful” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
