Translation guide
The English word 'crashing' can refer to a loud noise, a collision, a sudden failure (especially of computers), or entering without invitation. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
Describing a sudden, loud, resonant sound
A booming or roaring sound, often used for thunder, explosions, or crashing waves.
雷の轟音が響いた。
The crashing sound of thunder echoed.
Literally 'the sound of breaking/shattering', used for glass or objects crashing.
窓ガラスが砕ける音がした。
There was a crashing sound of breaking window glass.
Onomatopoeia for a heavy crashing or thudding sound.
本棚がドシンと倒れた。
The bookshelf fell with a crash.
Describing a crash between vehicles or objects
General term for collision or crash, used for vehicles, opinions, etc.
車が壁に衝突した。
The car crashed into the wall.
A violent crash or smash-up, more intense than 衝突.
Everyday verb for bumping into or crashing into something.
Describing a program, computer, or system suddenly stopping or failing
Loanword from English, commonly used for software or system crashes.
アプリがクラッシュした。
The app crashed.
Casual term meaning 'to go down', widely used for computer crashes.
Means 'to freeze', used when a system becomes unresponsive.
画面がフリーズした。
The screen froze/crashed.
Means 'to go down', used for servers or networks crashing.
サーバーがダウンした。
The server crashed.
Describing attending an event without being invited
To go uninvited, to crash (a party). Implies going in a group or forcefully.
友達がパーティーに押しかけてきた。
My friends crashed the party.
Literally 'participate without permission', a more formal description.
彼は無断で会議に参加した。
He crashed the meeting.
Describing falling asleep quickly from exhaustion
Onomatopoeic slang for collapsing into sleep, like 'crash out'.
疲れてバタンキューだった。
I was exhausted and crashed out.
To sleep soundly, often used after being very tired.
昨日はぐっすり寝た。
I crashed out last night.
While クラッシュする is common, using 衝突する for a computer crash sounds unnatural. Use 落ちる or クラッシュする instead.
衝突 is a general collision; 激突 implies a more violent, destructive crash. Use 激突 for serious accidents.
軽い衝突事故だった。
It was a minor crash.
激突して車が大破した。
The car was wrecked in the violent crash.
トラックが電柱に激突した。
The truck crashed into a utility pole.
自転車が人にぶつかった。
The bicycle crashed into a person.
My computer crashed.