Translation guide
In baseball, a hit that allows a runner to score a run. This guide covers how to express this concept naturally in Japanese, from common terms to specific phrases.
The most common and neutral way to refer to a hit that results in a run being scored.
The standard Japanese term for a 'run-scoring hit' or 'clutch hit'. It is a loanword from English 'timely hit' and is widely used in baseball commentary and conversation.
彼はチャンスでタイムリーヒットを打った。
He hit a run-scoring hit in a scoring opportunity.
A more formal or written term meaning 'timely hit'. Often used in newspaper articles or official statistics. It is a direct translation of 'timely hit'.
彼の適時打でチームが勝った。
His run-scoring hit won the game for the team.
Literally 'scoring hit', this term is less common but can be understood. It is sometimes used in statistical contexts.
この選手は得点打が多い。
This player has many run-scoring hits.
Expressing that a batter's hit resulted in a run being scored, often focusing on the RBI (run batted in).
Means 'to record an RBI'. This is the most common way to say a batter drove in a run with a hit. It can be used for any hit that scores a run.
彼はこのヒットで打点を挙げた。
He got an RBI with this hit.
Literally 'to send the runner back (home)'. A natural phrase used when a hit allows a runner to score. It emphasizes the action of bringing the runner home.
彼のヒットでランナーを返した。
His hit brought the runner home.
A casual way to say 'to hit a timely hit'. Very common in spoken Japanese among baseball fans.
また彼がタイムリーを打った！
He hit another run-scoring hit!
Referring to a hit that scores a run in a particular situation, such as with two outs or as a walk-off.
The game-winning hit. Used when the hit directly leads to the winning run.
彼の決勝打で試合が決まった。
His game-winning hit decided the game.
A walk-off hit. Specifically a hit that ends the game in the bottom of the final inning, scoring the winning run.
彼はサヨナラヒットを打ってヒーローになった。
He hit a walk-off hit and became the hero.
A two-run timely hit. Used when the hit scores two runs. The number can be changed (e.g., 3点タイムリー for three runs).
彼の2点タイムリーで同点になった。
His two-run hit tied the game.
In casual conversation, 'タイムリー' by itself can mean a run-scoring hit. For example, 'あのバッターはタイムリーが多い' (That batter has many clutch hits). It's a shortened form of 'タイムリーヒット'.
彼は本当にタイムリーが多いね。
He really gets a lot of run-scoring hits, doesn't he?