致

音読おんよみ:

訓読くんよみ: いた・す

画数かくすう: 10 strokes

部首ぶしゅ: 至(いたるへん / reach)

Meaning

To cause, lead to, or bring about. Also used in formal or humble expressions for “do,” especially in written language or respectful communication.


  • いたします — (humble) to do
  • 一致いっち — agreement, match
  • 致命的ちめいてき — fatal, critical
  • 致死ちし — lethal
  • 致死量ちしりょう — lethal dose
  • 致知ちち — intellectual enlightenment
  • 誘致ゆうち — invitation, attraction (e.g. investment)
  • 送致そうち — sending (a person, e.g. to court)

致 consists of the radical 至 (reach) and elements that imply direction or sending. Its core meaning is to “cause” or “send toward” a result or outcome.

In keigo (respectful language), 致す is the humble version of する, used in formal situations. In legal or medical contexts, it often implies fatal consequences (致死, 致命的).

案内あんないいたします。
I will guide you. (formal expression)

その事故じこ致命的ちめいてきでした。
The accident was fatal.

致す (いたす) is often used in polite speech instead of する.
For example, “申し上げます” and “お知らせいたします” are common in business emails or formal announcements.

Radicals Full List Spin 9