暴走
bōsō
The English word 'rampage' is translated into Japanese as 暴走 (bōsō).
暴走 is used to describe a course of violent, frenzied action. In modern Japanese, it frequently refers to 'runaway' behavior, such as a vehicle losing control or a person's impulses running wild.
Meaning: a course of violent, frenzied action (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun 暴走 is composed of the characters for 'violence/wildness' (暴) and 'running/running through' (走).
Which one should you use?
While 暴走 often refers to a machine or a person losing control, such as a runaway car or someone acting out of control, the verb 暴れる is used to describe the physical act of flailing or acting violently.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
bōsō
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, specifically in anime and manga, a character entering a state of 暴走 often signifies a psychological break where they lose their identity to a primal or supernatural power.
- While 暴走 implies a lack of control, the Japanese language has a specific word 暴走機関車 meaning 'runaway locomotive', which is used metaphorically to describe a political movement or organization that cannot be stopped.
- While 暴走 describes the state of a rampage, you will often see it in the term 暴走族, which refers to the 'bosozoku' motorcycle gangs known for their wild riding styles.
Examples in context
- 彼は暴れましたHe went on a rampage
- 抗議者たちは乱暴を働きましたThe protestors went on a rampage
- そのゾウは動物園で暴れました。The elephant went on a rampage at the zoo.
- 昨夜、弟がパーティー中に大暴れしました。Last night, my younger brother went on a rampage during the party.
- 機械の暴走が始まった。kikai no bousou ga hajimatta.The machine's rampage has begun.
- 暴走する車両を止める。bousou suru sharyou o tomeru.Stop the rampaging vehicle.
- 彼の暴走は止まらない。kare no bousou wa tomaranai.His rampage will not stop.
Example conversation
Himi and Hiroto are talking about a video game boss.
- 陽葵 Himariこのボスの暴走がひどすぎるよ。kono bosu no bōsō ga hidosugiru yo.This boss's rampage is way too much.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当に、攻撃が激しすぎるね。hontō ni, kōgeki ga hageshisugiru ne.True, the attacks are too intense.
- 陽葵 Himariどうすれば暴走を止められるかな？dō sureba bōsō o tomerareru kana?I wonder how we can stop the rampage?
- 大翔 Hiroto弱点を狙えば大丈夫だと思うよ。jakuten o neraeba daijōbu da to omou yo.I think it will be fine if we aim for the weak point.
