日本語 Japanese Ask Questions Thread 6

If you have a question about the language, ask it and fellow 4channers might see it and answer it for you.

Japanese - Ask questions thread
http://dis.4chan.org/read/lang/1174719097/1-40

日語 Japanese Ask Questions Thread2 質問
http://dis.4chan.org/read/lang/1206158123/1-40

日本語 Japanese Ask Questions Thread 3
http://dis.4chan.org/read/lang/1267485093/1-40

日本語 Japanese Ask Questions Thread 4
http://dis.4chan.org/read/lang/1302350850/1-40

日本語 Japanese Ask Questions Thread 5
http://dis.4chan.org/read/lang/1330050873/1-40

>>702
Again, as with all these synonyms, they mean essential the same thing and can be used interchangeably in most situations. It's the difference between "goal" 目的 and "objective" 目標 Most Japanese people will use them interchangeably but with slightly different flavor.

The largest difference is obvious when you break down the kanji. 目的 (eye and target/object). The idea in the kanji is you're like a hunt chasing down your target. Its mainly used for abstract ideas, goals, thoughts, etc. Yes, what is abstract depends on who you talk to but, again, that's the idea.

目標 (eye and mark/sign), on the other hand, is the opposite. It's used with non-abstract, more firm ideas or goals. The idea presented in the kanji is that you can see your goal on paper and follow a process or something to complete it. It's important to note that most people use 目標 for about anything, while 目的 is (usually unconsciously) reserved for grand, abstract, distant ideas.