ぶつ

ぶ

つ

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-tsu), transitive verb

usually written using kana alone

Casual, somewhat rough word for hitting a person or thing. Stronger and more colloquial than 打つ (うつ).

つくえ

を

ぶつ

と

大おお

きな

音おと

が

し

た

。

When I hit the desk, it made a loud noise.

2

godan verb (-tsu), transitive verb

usually written using kana alone

Colloquial use with 演説 (speech) or similar nouns; implies delivering something forcefully or boldly.

3

godan verb (-tsu), transitive verb

usually written using kana alonedated term

Dated slang for gambling. Rare in modern usage; 賭ける (かける) is the standard word.

ぶつUsage97%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 打つ, 撃つ, 撲つ are rare and may be confused with うつ.
撃ぶつUsage2%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; normally read うつ. Use only when the reading ぶつ is clear from context.
撲ぶつUsage1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; normally read うつ. Use only when the reading ぶつ is clear from context.
打ぶつ
Rare kanji form; normally read うつ. Use only when the reading ぶつ is clear from context.

打うつ
Standard word for 'hit' or 'strike'; more neutral and broader in use than ぶつ.
殴なぐる
Specifically means 'punch' or 'beat up'; more violent and intentional than ぶつ.
叩たたく
Means 'slap', 'tap', or 'strike'; often lighter or more rhythmic than ぶつ.

The origin is uncertain; possibly a sound-symbolic variant of 打つ (うつ) with a voiced initial consonant, giving a more forceful or casual feel.