大当たり
ōatari[o̞ːa̠ta̠ɾʲi]
The English phrase "jackpot" can be translated into Japanese as 大当たり (ōatari).
The term 大当たり is used to describe a large cash prize. In casual conversation, you may also encounter the loanword ジャックポット.
Meaning: large cash prize (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 大当たり is composed of the adjective 大 (ō), meaning big and the noun 当たり (atari), meaning a hit or a strike.
How do you pronounce it?
ōatari
Did you know?
- The word 大当たり is used beyond gambling to describe a massive commercial success or a 'smash hit' movie or song.
- In Japanese pachinko parlors, 大当たり is often announced by loud sirens and flashing lights to alert the entire room that someone has hit the jackpot.
- The opposite of 大当たり is 大外れ (ōhazure), where the character for 'hit' is replaced by the character for 'miss'.
Examples in context
- 大当たりしたんだ。I hit the jackpot.This sentence is useful for showing how to use the form 大当たり to say you hit the jackpot.Tatoeba #1323446 by bunbuku, translation #63047 by CK
- スロットマシンで当たりました！I hit the jackpot on the slot machine!
- ビンゴで大当たり！Bingo, I won the jackpot!
- スロットで大当たりした！I hit the jackpot on the slots!
- 大当たりを狙っています。ōatari o neratte imasu.I am aiming for the jackpot.
- あの宝くじは大当たりだった。ano takarakuji wa ōatari datta.That lottery was a jackpot.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are at an arcade.
- 結衣 Yui健太、見て！大当たりが出たよ！Kenta, mite! ōatari ga deta yo!Kenta, look! I hit the jackpot!
- 健太 Kentaすごいね！結衣は運がいいなあ。Sugoi ne! Yui wa un ga ii naa.That's amazing! Yui, you are so lucky.
- 結衣 Yuiこれで豪華な食事に行こう。Kore de goka na shokuji ni ikō.Let's go have a fancy meal with this.
- 健太 Kenta賛成！どこに行きたい？Sansei! Doko ni ikitai?I agree! Where do you want to go?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 大当たり, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
