Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 衝突 | shōtotsu | [ɕo̞ːto̞t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| クラッシュ | kurasshu | [kɯ̟ɾa̠ɕːɨ] (narrow) |
| 激突 | gekitotsu | [ɡe̞kʲito̞t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
In Japanese, the word for a vehicle crash varies depending on whether you are speaking formally, emphasizing the violence of the impact or referring to digital systems.
Which one should you use?
The different forms have specific nuances. 衝突 is the standard term for a collision or crash. 激突 is more emphatic, implying a much more violent, high-impact or head-on collision. クラッシュ is a loanword from English. While it can mean a physical crash, it is most commonly used in the context of computer software crashing or in video games.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The nouns 衝突, 激突 and クラッシュ can be turned into intransitive verbs meaning 'to collide with something destructively' or 'to fall or come down violently' by adding the verb する. For example, you can use 衝突する or クラッシュする. Additionally, in computing, クラッシュする is used to describe software or hardware terminating or halting execution.
How do you pronounce it?
shōtotsu
Did you know?
- In the context of skincare and cosmetics, クラッシュ is sometimes used to describe a 'burst' of moisture or ingredients when a capsule breaks on the skin.
- When describing a crash in a metaphorical sense, such as a stock market crash, Japanese uses 暴落, which literally means 'violent fall' rather than a 'collision' like 衝突.
- The word 激突 is frequently used in the titles of Japanese action movies and manga to evoke a sense of epic, destined confrontation rather than just a traffic accident.
Examples in context
- 衝突した時の音、忘れられないよ。I'll never forget the sound the crash made.This sentence uses 衝突 to describe the sound made during a crash.Tatoeba #146344 by bunbuku, translation #268218 by CK
- 警察は衝突事故の原因を調査中です。The police are investigating the cause of the crash.This sentence uses 衝突 to describe a collision being investigated by the police.Tatoeba #9596786 by bunbuku, translation #238172 by CK
- 今日ルート６６で衝突事故があったんだ。There was a crash on Route 66 today.This sentence uses 衝突 to describe a crash occurring on a road.Tatoeba #171468 by bunbuku, translation #11101273 by CK
- 昨晩、都市高速で激しい衝突がありました。Last night, there was a severe crash on the expressway.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are discussing news about a traffic accident.
- 大翔 Hirotoニュースで大きな衝突を見たよ。Nyūsu de ōkina shōtotsu o mita yo.I saw a big crash on the news.
- 美咲 Misakiえっ、どこで起きたの？E', doko de okita no?What, where did it happen?
- 大翔 Hiroto高速道路での激しい衝突だったみたいだ。Kōsoku dōro de no hageshii shōtotsu datta mitai da.It seems it was a violent crash on the highway.
- 美咲 Misakiそれは大変だったね。Sore wa taihen datta ne.That must have been terrible.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crash” translations and entries 衝突, クラッシュ, 激突, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
