Translation guide
The English word 'bump' covers several distinct meanings: a light collision, a raised area on a surface, a minor injury swelling, and various idiomatic uses. This guide focuses on the most common physical meanings for learners.
To hit or knock against something lightly, often accidentally.
General verb for colliding or bumping into something. Can be used for people, objects, or vehicles.
人とぶつかった。
I bumped into someone.
自転車が壁にぶつかった。
The bicycle bumped into the wall.
Transitive verb meaning to bump or knock something against something else. Often used for body parts.
頭を棚にぶつけた。
I bumped my head on the shelf.
Intransitive verb for hitting or striking something, often with a lighter nuance than ぶつかる. Can also mean to be exposed to something.
ボールが窓に当たった。
The ball bumped against the window.
Explicitly adds 'lightly' to emphasize a minor bump.
彼は私に軽くぶつかって謝った。
He lightly bumped into me and apologized.
A small raised part on an otherwise flat surface, like a bump on a road or a lump on an object.
Refers to a raised area or protrusion, often used in technical or descriptive contexts.
道路に隆起がある。
There is a bump on the road.
Common word for a lump or bump, often used for swellings on the body or knots on trees.
木の幹にこぶがある。
There is a bump on the tree trunk.
Casual term for a protrusion or bump, often used for something sticking out.
A raised, swollen area on the body caused by a hit or injury.
Specifically a bump or goose egg on the head from a blow.
転んでおでこにたんこぶができた。
I fell and got a bump on my forehead.
General word for a lump or swelling, can be used for injury bumps anywhere on the body.
ぶつけて腕にこぶができた。
I bumped my arm and got a lump.
General term for swelling, not necessarily a distinct bump. Often used for inflammation.
打撲で腫れが出た。
A bump appeared from the bruise.
The katakana word バンプ is mainly used in specific contexts like 'bumper' (バンパー) or in brand names. It is not a natural translation for the physical meanings of 'bump'.
This desk has a bump that gets in the way.