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.
The bicycle ran into the wall.
He ran into someone and didn't apologize.
More formal term for collision, often used for vehicles or in news reports.
The car ran into a utility pole.
To crash into or plunge into, often with force. Can be used for vehicles or people.
A truck ran into the store.
To unexpectedly encounter a person you know.
Common phrase for running into someone unexpectedly. Emphasizes the surprise of the encounter.
I ran into my teacher at the station yesterday.
To meet by coincidence. Slightly more formal than ばったり会う.
I ran into a friend while traveling.
To happen to meet, often with a nuance of an unpleasant or unexpected encounter.
To unexpectedly face trouble, obstacles, or issues.
To be confronted with a problem or difficulty. Often used in formal contexts.
The company has run into financial difficulties.
Also used metaphorically for encountering problems or opposition.
To encounter something, often negative or unexpected. Formal and somewhat literary.
We ran into bad weather while climbing.
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.
森の中で熊に出くわした。
I ran into a bear in the forest.
計画は大きな壁にぶつかった。
The plan ran into a major obstacle.