Translation guide
Ways to express a counter-attack in Japanese, from military and sports contexts to verbal retorts.
A planned offensive response to an enemy attack, often in war, games, or business.
The most common and general term for a counter-attack in military, sports, or strategic contexts.
Prepare for the enemy's counter-attack.
A sudden, often desperate counter-attack, implying turning the tables on an attacker.
The team that was at a disadvantage launched a counter-attack.
A loanword from English, used in sports commentary or military jargon, but less common than native terms.
They scored on a counter-attack.
A sharp reply in an argument or debate, turning someone's words against them.
A counter-argument or rebuttal, neutral and widely used in discussions.
I counter-argued his opinion.
A quick, clever retort or comeback, often in a verbal duel.
To talk back or retort, often with a confrontational nuance.
A quick offensive move after regaining possession or blocking an attack.
The most common term in sports like soccer or boxing, often used as a noun or with する.
They scored a goal from a counter-attack.
A fast break or quick attack, often in basketball or volleyball, but can be used for counter-attacks.
反撃 is a general counter-attack, while 逆襲 implies a dramatic reversal from a losing position. Use 逆襲 when emphasizing a comeback from the brink.
Avoid directly translating 'counter-attack' as カウンターアタック in most contexts; it sounds overly technical or foreign. Use 反撃 or カウンター instead.
Her comebacks are always sharp.
He immediately retorted.
速攻で相手を崩した。
They broke down the opponent with a quick counter-attack.