到达 (dàodá) is a formal, written verb meaning 'to arrive' — specifically, to reach a destination after travel or movement. It combines 到 (dào), which means 'to reach' or 'to arrive at', and 达 (dá), which means 'to attain' or 'to achieve'. Together, they reinforce the idea of successfully reaching a physical or sometimes abstract endpoint. The word carries a neutral-to-formal register and is commonly used in news reports, official announcements, transportation schedules, and written narratives.

Unlike the more colloquial 到 (dào) alone or 来到 (láidào), 到达 emphasizes completion of the journey and often appears with specific destinations (e.g., 到达机场, 到达北京). It does not take aspect particles like 了 or 过 directly — instead, these usually attach to the sentence verb or appear separately (e.g., 已经到达, 到达了). It’s rarely used in casual speech among friends but is essential for learners aiming for proficiency in formal or academic Chinese.