Translation guide
The English verb 'invade' covers military invasions, unwanted intrusions, and figurative encroachments. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being invaded and the nuance.
To enter a country or territory with armed forces in order to attack or occupy it.
The most common and direct translation for military invasion. Implies aggression and conquest.
その国は隣国に侵略された。
The country was invaded by its neighbor.
Often used for military advances or incursions, especially in news reports. Slightly more formal.
敵軍が国境を越えて侵攻した。
Enemy forces invaded across the border.
Literally 'attack and enter'. Used for military invasions, emphasizing the act of entering to attack.
敵が領土に攻め込んできた。
The enemy invaded our territory.
To enter a place in large numbers, often disruptively or without permission.
Describes crowds, water, or things surging into a place. Often used for tourists, fans, or floodwaters.
観光客が街に押し寄せた。
Tourists invaded the town.
General term for trespassing or breaking in. Can be used for burglars, animals, or even computer hacking.
泥棒が家に侵入した。
A burglar invaded the house.
Implies a sudden, forceful rushing in, like a crowd flooding into a stadium.
To intrude upon someone's privacy, rights, or personal space in a non-physical way.
Used for violating rights, privacy, or territory in a legal or abstract sense.
プライバシーを侵害する。
To invade someone's privacy.
Similar to 侵害する but often used in fixed phrases like 領空を侵す (invade airspace). Can sound more literary.
個人の権利を侵す。
To invade individual rights.
To spread into an area and cause damage, used for invasive species, diseases, or unwanted organisms.
Also used for biological invasions, like invasive species or pathogens entering a new area.
外来種が生態系に侵入した。
Invasive species invaded the ecosystem.
Means 'to spread rampantly' or 'overrun'. Often used for weeds, pests, or disease.
雑草が庭に蔓延っている。
Weeds are invading the garden.
To occupy one's mind or emotions completely, often negatively.
Literally 'won't leave one's head'. Used when thoughts or worries invade one's mind persistently.
不安な考えが頭から離れない。
Anxious thoughts invade my mind.
Means 'to attack' or 'assail'. Used for sudden overwhelming feelings or memories.
悲しみが彼を襲った。
Sadness invaded him.
Directly translating 'invade' as 侵略する for non-military situations (e.g., 'tourists invaded the beach') sounds unnatural and overly aggressive. Use context-appropriate verbs like 押し寄せる or 侵入する.
侵略する implies a large-scale, organized military invasion with intent to conquer. 侵入する is more general, covering trespassing, breaking in, or biological invasions. Use 侵略する for war contexts, and 侵入する for burglary, hacking, or invasive species.
ファンが競技場になだれ込んだ。
Fans invaded the stadium.