成功をする

This phrase is like a Lego set. You can snap it onto many different topics. Usually, you use the particle に to show what you succeeded in. For example, テストに成功をする means 'succeeding in a test.' You can also use it with が for the subject. 実験が成功をした means 'the experiment succeeded.' In casual talk, people often drop the を. They just say 成功した (seikou shita). It works in past, present, and future tenses easily.

Use it when you reach a milestone. Did you finally bake a bread that isn't a rock? That is a 成功. Did your team finish a big project on time? That is also a 成功. It is perfect for business meetings and progress reports. You can use it when texting friends about your diet. It is great for celebrating someone else's hard work too. Use it when the result matches your high expectations.

Don't use it for tiny, effortless tasks. If you successfully tied your shoes, don't say 成功をした. It sounds way too dramatic and a bit weird. Also, avoid it for things that happen by pure luck. If you found a coin on the street, that's not 成功. That is just being lucky or ラッキー. 成功 implies you actually tried to do something. Don't use it if the outcome was actually quite bad.

Japan has a deep respect for the process of working hard. However, 成功 is the ultimate reward for that effort. There is a famous saying: 'Failure is the mother of success.' In Japanese, it is 失敗は成功の母. This shows that Japanese culture views success as a journey. When you succeed, it is polite to thank those who helped. Success is rarely seen as a solo achievement in Japan. It is often a win for the whole group or family.

You will often hear 大成功 (dai-seikou). This means a 'huge success' or a 'smash hit.' If you want to wish someone luck, use 成功を祈る. This means 'I pray for your success.' It sounds very elegant and supportive. Another common one is 成功させる (seikou saseru). This means 'to make something a success.' It shows you are taking charge of the outcome. You might also see 成功者 (seikousha), meaning a successful person.