Translation guide
The English word "crack" has many meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a narrow opening, a sudden sharp sound, a break or fracture, a joke, an attempt, and more. Each meaning is organized with natural Japanese expressions.
To refer to a thin space between things, like a crack in a wall or door.
General word for a gap or crack between objects, such as in a door or wall.
Light is leaking through the crack in the door.
A crack or fissure, often in a solid surface like rock or ice.
A fine crack or fissure, often in glass, ceramics, or skin.
To describe a loud, sharp noise like a whip or thunder.
Onomatopoeia for a sharp cracking or snapping sound.
To describe something breaking partially, like a bone or a nut.
To develop a crack (intransitive). Used for bones, glass, etc.
To tell a funny or sarcastic comment.
To make an attempt at something, often for the first time.
To take on a challenge or try something.
To figure out a difficult problem or code.
To decipher or decode.
To become unable to control emotions under pressure.
To be mentally overwhelmed or crack under pressure.
To open something just a little bit.
To open a door or window a crack.
English "crack" has many meanings that don't map to a single Japanese word. Always choose the expression based on the specific meaning you want to convey.
A crack appeared in the wall due to the earthquake.
There is a crack in the window glass.
The whip cracked.
Onomatopoeia for a loud cracking sound, like breaking wood.
The branch cracked and broke.
A roaring or thunderous sound, used for thunder or explosions.
The crack of thunder resounded.
I fell and cracked a rib.
To crack or break something open (transitive), like an egg or a nut.
Crack the egg into a bowl.
To crush or crack into pieces, often for hard objects like ice or nuts.
Crack the ice to make a cocktail.
A joke or jest. Often used with 言う (to say).
He always cracks jokes to make people laugh.
A witty or flippant remark, often quick and clever.
She cracked a witty remark to lighten the mood.
I want to have a crack at a new sport.
To give something a try, casual.
I had a crack at cooking.
They cracked the code.
To solve a problem or case.
The detective cracked the case.
He cracked under the pressure.
To give up or admit defeat, often due to stress.
He cracked under the tough training.
I cracked the window to let in some fresh air.