Translation guide
The English word "dash" covers several distinct meanings: a quick run, a small amount, a punctuation mark, a sudden movement, and more. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression for each situation.
To run or move quickly for a short distance.
A loanword from English, commonly used in sports, games, and casual speech for a short, fast run.
彼はゴールに向かってダッシュした。
He dashed toward the goal.
A more formal or literary term meaning 'full-speed sprint'. Used in descriptive writing or formal contexts.
選手たちは全力疾走で競技場を一周した。
The athletes dashed around the stadium at full speed.
A general phrase meaning 'to run in a hurry'. It conveys the sense of dashing without the sporty nuance of ダッシュ.
バスに乗り遅れそうになって、急いで走った。
I almost missed the bus, so I dashed.
A small quantity of something, often a liquid or seasoning.
A neutral word meaning 'small amount'. Used in recipes and everyday language.
塩を少量加えてください。
Add a dash of salt.
Literally 'a pinch'. Commonly used for salt, sugar, etc. in cooking.
A formal or polite way to say 'a little', often used in written recipes or instructions.
The dash symbol (—) used in writing.
The loanword for the punctuation mark. In Japanese typography, the em dash (—) is often used, but the term ダッシュ covers both en and em dashes.
この文にはダッシュが使われている。
A dash is used in this sentence.
To move suddenly or quickly in a particular direction.
Means 'to jump out' or 'to dash out'. Used when someone suddenly leaves a place or rushes forward.
子供が道路に飛び出した。
A child dashed into the road.
Means 'to rush' or 'to charge'. Implies a forceful, headlong dash.
彼は部屋に突進してきた。
He dashed into the room.
A stylish, energetic quality; panache.
A traditional Japanese aesthetic concept meaning 'chic', 'stylish', or 'cool'. It conveys a sense of refined, understated flair.
彼の服装はいつも粋だ。
His style always has a certain dash.
A loanword meaning 'sense' or 'taste'. Often used to describe someone's stylishness or flair.
彼女はセンスがいい。
She has a dash of style.
To ruin or destroy something, especially hopes or plans.
Literally 'to shatter hopes'. A strong expression for dashing someone's expectations.
その知らせは彼の希望を打ち砕いた。
The news dashed his hopes.
Means 'to crush a dream'. Similar to dashing a dream.
現実が彼の夢を砕いた。
Reality dashed his dreams.
In English, 'a dash of salt' is idiomatic. In Japanese, do not use ダッシュ for this meaning. Use 少量, ひとつまみ, or 少々 instead.
塩をひとつまみ入れる。
Add a dash of salt.
ダッシュ is a casual, everyday word for a short sprint, while 全力疾走 is more formal and emphasizes running at full speed. Use ダッシュ in conversation and 全力疾走 in writing or formal descriptions.
彼はドアに向かってダッシュした。
He made a dash for the door.
しょうゆを少々加える。
Add a dash of soy sauce.
100メートルダッシュは彼の得意種目だ。
The 100-meter dash is his best event.
砂糖をひとつまみ入れる。
Add a dash of sugar.
こしょうを少々ふりかける。
Sprinkle a dash of pepper.
A technical term for the dash as a phonetic symbol (e.g., in katakana words). Rarely used in everyday conversation.
長音符号はカタカナ語でよく見られる。
The dash is often seen in katakana words.