Translation guide
How to express 'collide with' in Japanese, covering physical collisions, clashes of opinions, and scheduling conflicts.
To describe two things hitting each other forcefully, such as cars, trains, or people bumping into each other.
The most common and general word for a collision between vehicles, objects, or groups. Can also be used metaphorically for clashes of opinions.
車がトラックと衝突した。
The car collided with a truck.
Two ships collided.
A very common, slightly more casual verb for bumping into something or someone. Used for physical collisions of all kinds.
自転車が壁にぶつかった。
The bicycle collided with the wall.
人とぶつかってしまった。
I accidentally bumped into someone.
A more intense collision, often implying a violent crash. Used in news reports for serious accidents.
電車が駅の壁に激突した。
The train violently collided with the station wall.
Means 'to come into contact with'. Used for minor collisions, like a car lightly touching another, or in technical contexts.
車両が接触する事故があった。
There was an accident where the vehicles made contact.
To describe when ideas, opinions, or people's personalities conflict or are incompatible.
Also used metaphorically for clashes of opinions or interests. Very common.
彼の意見は私の意見と衝突した。
His opinion collided with mine.
To be in opposition or conflict. Often used for groups, ideologies, or people with opposing views.
二つのグループが対立している。
The two groups are in conflict (colliding).
Can be used metaphorically for opinions or personalities clashing, though slightly more casual.
To describe when two events or appointments happen at the same time, causing a conflict.
Commonly used for schedules or events that overlap or conflict. Implies a clash of timing.
会議が別の予定とかち合った。
The meeting collided with another appointment.
Means 'to overlap'. Used when two events happen at the same time, often unintentionally.
From English 'batting', used informally to mean schedules clash. Common in business contexts.
その時間は別の会議とバッティングしています。
That time slot collides with another meeting.
衝突する is more formal and often used for serious collisions (traffic accidents, clashes of opinions). ぶつかる is more casual and covers everyday bumping into things or people, as well as metaphorical clashes.
車が衝突した (formal) / 車がぶつかった (casual)
The car collided.
In English, 'collide with' can sound too strong for minor bumps. Similarly, in Japanese, 衝突する might be too heavy for a person bumping into another on the street. Use ぶつかる for everyday bumps.
彼とは意見がよくぶつかる。
I often clash with him over opinions.
旅行の日程が試験と重なってしまった。
The trip dates collided with my exams.