Translation guide
Expresses being overwhelmed by an emotion, sensation, or external force. Japanese uses different constructions depending on what overcomes you: emotions, sleep, heat, or abstract forces.
To be overwhelmed by a strong feeling such as sadness, joy, or gratitude.
Literally 'to be struck by ~'. Used for being overcome by emotions like sadness, joy, or gratitude. The emotion is marked with に.
彼の優しさに打たれて、涙が出た。
I was overcome by his kindness and tears came to my eyes.
Literally 'my heart becomes full with ~'. Expresses being overcome with emotion, often positive like gratitude or joy.
感謝の気持ちで胸がいっぱいになった。
I was overcome with gratitude.
Literally 'to be attacked by ~'. Used for sudden, overwhelming negative emotions like anxiety or fear.
不安に襲われて、何も手につかなかった。
I was overcome by anxiety and couldn't focus on anything.
Means 'cannot suppress ~'. Used when an emotion becomes too strong to control.
怒りを抑えきれず、声を荒げてしまった。
I was overcome with anger and raised my voice.
To be so tired or sleepy that you cannot stay awake.
Used for sudden, irresistible sleepiness. Often with 睡魔 (sleep demon).
睡魔に襲われて、会議中に居眠りしてしまった。
I was overcome by sleep and dozed off during the meeting.
Literally 'to lose to ~'. Casual way to say you gave in to sleepiness or fatigue.
眠気に負けて、ソファで寝てしまった。
I was overcome by sleepiness and fell asleep on the sofa.
To be overwhelmed by heat, cold, or a physical feeling.
Casual expression meaning 'to be done in by ~'. Used for heat, cold, or exhaustion.
暑さにやられて、食欲がない。
I'm overcome by the heat and have no appetite.
Humble expression meaning 'to be troubled by ~'. Often used for heat or cold.
この暑さで参ってしまいます。
I'm overcome by this heat.
To be defeated or overwhelmed by an enemy, difficulty, or force.
Passive form of 打ち負かす (to defeat). Means to be overcome or defeated by someone or something.
敵に打ち負かされた。
We were overcome by the enemy.
Means to be overwhelmed or overpowered by a superior force, skill, or presence.
相手の実力に圧倒された。
I was overcome by my opponent's skill.
打たれる is used for being struck by an emotion in a somewhat poetic or profound way, often positive. 襲われる implies a sudden, often negative attack. Use 打たれる for being moved by kindness; use 襲われる for anxiety or fear.
彼の言葉に打たれた。
I was struck by his words.
恐怖に襲われた。
I was overcome by fear.
Do not directly translate 'overcome' as 克服する (to overcome a difficulty). That verb is active, meaning you conquer something. To express being overcome by something, use passive or intransitive constructions like 〜に打たれる or 〜に襲われる.
彼女は感動に打たれた。
She was overcome with emotion.
彼は睡魔に襲われた。
He was overcome by sleep.