Translation guide
The English word 'collision' covers physical crashes between objects, vehicles, or people, as well as abstract clashes of ideas, schedules, or interests. Japanese uses different words depending on what is colliding and how severe it is.
Describing a physical crash between cars, trains, ships, or other objects, often in accidents.
The most general word for a collision between vehicles or objects. Can also be used metaphorically.
There was a car collision on the highway.
Specifically a rear-end collision.
A violent crash or smash-up, often used in dramatic contexts.
When ideas, opinions, or personalities conflict strongly.
Also used for clashes of opinions or personalities.
When two events or appointments happen at the same time.
Literally 'to overlap', used for schedule conflicts.
Accidentally bumping into a person while walking.
General verb for bumping or colliding with something or someone.
Scientific term for particles or objects hitting each other.
Standard term in physics.
A head-on collision of trains occurred.
信号待ちで追突された。
I was rear-ended while waiting at a traffic light.
トラックが壁に激突した。
The truck smashed into the wall.
Their opinions often collide.
I clashed with my boss and quit the company.
Confrontation or opposition, often between groups or ideas.
The two political parties are in conflict.
The meeting times collided (overlapped).
From English 'batting', meaning schedules clash. Casual.
My plans collided (overlapped).
I bumped into someone.
More formal, used for people colliding but less common in casual speech.
The pedestrians collided with each other.
particle collision experiment
I bumped into the wall with my bicycle. (casual)
For lightly bumping into someone in a crowd, ぶつかる is natural. 衝突 would sound overly dramatic.