Translation guide
How to express 'hit on' in Japanese, covering romantic advances, flirting, and the literal meaning of striking something.
To approach someone with romantic or sexual interest, often in a social setting.
The most direct equivalent, meaning to woo, seduce, or persistently try to win someone's affection. Can be used for both men and women, though often implies a man pursuing a woman.
彼はパーティーで彼女を口説いていた。
He was hitting on her at the party.
あの人はいつも誰かを口説いている。
That person is always hitting on someone.
Refers specifically to picking up or hitting on someone, usually in public places like streets or bars. Often used for men approaching women. Can have a slightly casual or even negative connotation of being a pickup artist.
彼は街で女の子をナンパした。
He hit on a girl in the street.
A loanword from English, meaning to make an approach or advance. Softer and more modern than 口説く, often used in dating contexts. Can be used by any gender.
気になる人にアプローチしてみた。
I tried hitting on someone I'm interested in.
Means to invite or ask out. Not exactly 'hit on,' but can be used when the advance involves asking someone on a date. Context makes the romantic intent clear.
彼女をデートに誘った。
I hit on her by asking her out on a date.
To directly suggest sexual activity, often in a crude or forward manner.
To make advances, often with a sexual connotation. Can be used for persistent or unwanted advances. More literary or formal than 口説く.
彼は彼女にしつこく言い寄った。
He persistently hit on her.
Literally 'approach with the body as the goal.' Clearly implies hitting on someone purely for sex. Very direct and negative.
あの男は体目当てで近づいてきた。
That guy hit on me just for sex.
The literal meaning of physically hitting something, often accidentally or as part of a process.
Intransitive verb meaning to hit, strike, or come into contact with. Used for objects hitting something.
ボールが窓に当たった。
The ball hit the window.
Transitive verb meaning to hit or strike something against something else. The subject deliberately causes the contact.
Intransitive verb meaning to bump into or collide with. Often used for accidental collisions.
To suddenly realize or come up with something, as in 'hit on a solution'.
To come up with an idea or hit upon something. The most natural equivalent for this figurative use.
いいアイデアを思い付いた。
I hit on a good idea.
To suddenly or casually hit on an idea. Adds the nuance of spontaneity.
解決策をふと思い付いた。
I suddenly hit on a solution.
The English 'hit on' cannot be directly translated as 打つ (utsu) or 叩く (tataku) when meaning to flirt. Those verbs mean to physically strike. Use the options above for romantic advances.
彼女を打った。
I hit her. (physically struck, not flirted)
口説く (kudoku) is a general term for wooing or seducing, and can be used in various contexts including serious romantic pursuit. ナンパする (nanpa suru) specifically refers to picking up strangers, often in public, and can carry a negative connotation of being a player.
彼は真面目に彼女を口説いた。
He seriously wooed her.
彼は毎晩ナンパしている。
He goes out hitting on women every night.
He hit the ball against the wall.
車が電柱にぶつかった。
The car hit a utility pole.