Translation guide
How to express 'run into' in Japanese, covering physical collision, chance encounters, and encountering difficulties.
To accidentally hit or bump into something or someone while moving.
General verb for colliding with something or someone. Can be used for vehicles, people, or objects.
To unexpectedly encounter a person you know.
Common phrase for running into someone unexpectedly. Emphasizes the surprise of the encounter.
昨日、駅で先生にばったり会った。
I ran into my teacher at the station yesterday.
To unexpectedly face trouble, obstacles, or issues.
To be confronted with a problem or difficulty. Often used in formal contexts.
その会社は財政難に直面している。
The company has run into financial difficulties.
ぶつかる is the everyday word for bumping into things, while 衝突する is more formal and often used for traffic accidents or serious collisions.
The English phrase 'run into' cannot be directly translated word-for-word. Use the appropriate Japanese verb based on context.
自転車が壁にぶつかった。
The bicycle ran into the wall.
彼は人にぶつかって謝らなかった。
He ran into someone and didn't apologize.
More formal term for collision, often used for vehicles or in news reports.
車が電柱に衝突した。
The car ran into a utility pole.
To crash into or plunge into, often with force. Can be used for vehicles or people.
トラックが店に突っ込んだ。
A truck ran into the store.
To meet by coincidence. Slightly more formal than ばったり会う.
旅行先で偶然友達に会った。
I ran into a friend while traveling.
To happen to meet, often with a nuance of an unpleasant or unexpected encounter.
森の中で熊に出くわした。
I ran into a bear in the forest.
Also used metaphorically for encountering problems or opposition.
計画は大きな壁にぶつかった。
The plan ran into a major obstacle.
To encounter something, often negative or unexpected. Formal and somewhat literary.
登山中に悪天候に遭遇した。
We ran into bad weather while climbing.