Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 打つ | utsu | [ɯ̟t͡sɨ] (narrow) [bɯ̟t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| 攻撃する | kōgeki suru |
The word you choose depends entirely on the nature of the strike. Use 打つ for physical actions such as hitting a nail, striking a drum or hitting a ball. If you are referring to a military strike, a physical assault or a verbal attack, use 攻撃する. In the context of sports, the loanword ストライク is used for terms like a strike in baseball or bowling.
Which one should you use?
打つ is used for manual or physical strikes, such as hitting an object. In contrast, 攻撃する is used when 'strike' carries the meaning of an attack, such as a military strike or an assault. Furthermore, the katakana term ストライク is used specifically for sports terminology.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
A common related form is the compound verb 打ち込む, which is derived from 打つ and means to strike something into something else, such as driving a nail into wood or to hit something with force.
How do you pronounce it?
utsu
Did you know?
- The verb 打つ is used to describe typing on a keyboard or texting on a phone, as if the user is striking the keys.
- Japanese has a specific word, 打ち合わせ, based on the verb 打つ that means a business meeting or a briefing.
- The verb 打ち込む can mean to strike something into a surface, but it is also commonly used to describe the act of 'striking' or 'immersing' oneself deeply into a hobby or study.
Examples in context
- あのプレーヤーはスウィングしてもストライクだったEven when that player swung, it was a strike.
- ボールを強く打つ。Bōru o tsuyoku utsu.Hit the ball hard.
- キーボードを激しく打つ。Kībōdo o hageshiku utsu.Hit the keyboard intensely.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are at a baseball practice.
- 陽葵 Himari健太、もっとボールを強く打って！Kenta, motto bōru o tsuyoku utte!Kenta, hit the ball more strongly!
- 健太 Kentaわかった、次はうまく打つよ。Wakatta, tsugi wa umaku utsu yo.Got it, I'll hit it well next time.
- 陽葵 Himari応援しているからね。Ōen shite iru kara ne.I'm rooting for you.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、頑張るよ。Arigatō, ganbaru yo.Thank you, I'll do my best.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “strike” translations and entries 打つ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
