simultaneous strike; mutual hit
Primarily used in kendo and similar martial arts for when both opponents strike each other at the same time. Also used metaphorically for any simultaneous action or clash.
The match ended in a simultaneous strike, and both were awarded a point.
Extended from the martial arts sense to mean a tie or deadlock in any competition or conflict where both sides strike or score equally.
The debate ended in a draw, and no conclusion was reached.
引き分け is a general term for a draw or tie in games and sports, while 相打ち emphasizes mutual striking or simultaneous action, often with a martial arts nuance.
相撃つ is the verb form meaning 'to strike each other simultaneously'. 相打ち is the noun form of that action.
Standard spelling, especially for the kendo sense. High news frequency.
Alternate spelling using 撃 (strike/shoot). Less common but seen in martial arts contexts.
Alternate spelling using 討 (attack/defeat). Sometimes used for mutual striking down.
Compound of 相 (ai, 'mutual') + 打ち (uchi, 'striking'), the nominalized form of 打つ (utsu, 'to strike'). The spelling variants 相撃ち and 相討ち use different kanji for 'strike' with similar meanings.