How to Say "Attack" in Japanese

攻撃

kōgeki[ko̞ːɡe̞kʲi]

The Japanese word for 'attack' is 攻撃 (kōgeki).

攻撃 is a versatile term used for a wide range of attacks, such as physical military assaults, sports maneuvers and even verbal or cyber attacks.

Meaning: attempt to cause damage, injury, or death (noun)

Which one should you use?

While 攻撃 refers to a general or strategic attack, a sudden, physical or violent assault is often more specifically described using the word 襲撃.

Adding the verb する to the noun 攻撃 turns the noun 'attack' into the verb 'to attack' (攻撃する).

kōgeki

The phrase 攻撃 is repeated in the hook of the song 공격전이다, which helped the term spread through Japanese internet culture.
In Japanese gaming culture, the term 攻撃力 (kōgekiryoku) is used to represent a character's 'attack power' or 'attack stat'.
When talking about the 'offensive' side of a sports match, Japanese speakers often use the word 攻め (seme) instead of 攻撃.

攻撃は最大の防御。
Attack is the best form of defense.
This sentence shows how to use 攻撃 in a proverb.
Tatoeba #173582 by small_snow, translation #240888 by CK
我々は攻撃に備えた。
We prepared for an attack.
This sentence shows how to use 攻撃 when preparing for an event.
Tatoeba #185857 by bunbuku, translation #22989 by CK
敵は夜通し攻撃を続けた。
The enemy kept up the attack all night.
This sentence shows how to use 攻撃 to describe a continuous action.
Tatoeba #125305 by small_snow, translation #278687 by CK
国境を守るために、我々は攻撃する必要があります。
In order to defend our borders, we need to attack.
今日の試合では攻めることに注力しましょう。
Let's focus on attacking in today's game.
17 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two friends are playing a video game together.

陽葵 Himari

敵の攻撃がすごいね。
teki no kougeki ga sugoi ne.
The enemy's attack is amazing, isn't it?
蓮 Ren

本当だ。もっと守らないと。
hontou da. motto mamoranai to.
True. We have to defend more.
陽葵 Himari

蓮、次はいつ攻撃する？
Ren, tsugi wa itsu kougeki suru?
Ren, when will you attack next?
蓮 Ren

あと少しでチャンスが来るよ。
ato sukoshi de chansu ga kuru yo.
The chance will come in a little bit.

Sources

Wiktionary, “attack” translations and entries 攻撃, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries 攻撃, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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