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.
He was hitting on her at the party.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
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.
He seriously wooed her.
He goes out hitting on women every night.
That guy hit on me just for sex.
He hit the ball against the wall.
車が電柱にぶつかった。
The car hit a utility pole.