Translation guide
The English word 'hammer' can refer to a tool, an action, or figurative uses. This guide covers how to express these in Japanese, focusing on natural equivalents rather than direct translations.
Referring to the physical tool used for hitting nails, etc.
The most common word for a hammer, especially a carpenter's hammer or a household hammer.
金槌で釘を打つ。
I hammer a nail with a hammer.
Loanword from English, used for specific types like a sledgehammer or in sports (e.g., hammer throw).
ハンマー投げの選手。
A hammer throw athlete.
Colloquial, often used by children or in casual contexts. Can sound childish.
トンカチで遊んじゃダメ。
Don't play with the hammer.
Describing the act of striking something with a hammer.
The most natural way to say 'to hammer' as an action. Literally 'hit with a hammer'.
彼は金槌で釘を打った。
He hammered the nail.
General verb for 'to hit' or 'to strike'. Can be used for hammering when context is clear, but less specific.
釘を叩いて入れる。
Hammer in a nail.
Using 'hammer' metaphorically, e.g., to hammer a point, to hammer out a deal.
Literally 'hammer in', used figuratively for drilling knowledge or forcing an idea.
基本を叩き込む。
Hammer in the basics.
For 'hammer out' a deal or agreement, meaning to discuss thoroughly.
契約を徹底的に議論してまとめた。
We hammered out the contract.
Means 'to hit repeatedly', can be used for 'hammering' on a keyboard or button.
キーを連打する。
Hammer on the keys.
To attack verbally, as in 'the critics hammered the movie'.
Means 'to criticize harshly' or 'pan'. Commonly used for reviews.
映画は批評家に酷評された。
The movie was hammered by critics.
Slang for bashing or attacking someone verbally, often online.
ネットで叩かれた。
I got hammered online.
The part of a gun, piano, or other device that strikes something.
Used for the striking part in guns, pianos, and machinery. Loanword.
ピアノのハンマーが弦を叩く。
The piano's hammer strikes the string.
Specifically the hammer of a firearm.
Auctioneer's hammer, or the act of selling at auction.
To put up for auction. The hammer itself is not usually mentioned; the focus is on the auction process.
その絵は競売にかけられた。
The painting was hammered (sold at auction).
Loanword meaning the final bid price when the hammer falls.
ハンマープライスは100万円だった。
The hammer price was 1 million yen.
Directly translating 'hammer' as 金槌 in phrases like 'hammer out a deal' will sound unnatural. Use context-appropriate verbs like 議論する (discuss) or 叩き込む (drill) instead.
金槌 is the traditional Japanese hammer, typically with a wooden handle and metal head. ハンマー is a loanword often used for Western-style hammers, sledgehammers, or specialized tools. In everyday life, 金槌 is more common for household use.
撃鉄を起こす。
Cock the hammer.