Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Hit" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "hit", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
当たる
あたる (ataru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
意気投合
いきとうごう (ikitougou)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "hit" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 当たる and 意気投合.
In Japanese, 当たる (あたる (ataru)) is typically associated with "to hit; to strike; to win (lottery); to equivalent to" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to physically hitting a target, winning a prize/lottery, equivalent to a certain status, or facing a strong sun. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 外れる. Often used as 宝くじが当たる or 予想が当たる. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To hit/win! "I feel like I won the greatest lottery in the universe by meeting you, Haruka-san!" ...っ! W-Winning the universe's greatest lottery! B-Baka! Don't compare meeting me to gambling odds! But... since I am your grand prize, make sure you never let me go for the rest of our lives! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『あたる（当たる）よ！『ハルカ部長、あなたの優しさに触れた瞬間、僕の人生の運命の直感が『この人こそが生涯の伴侶だ！』と完璧に当たりました！』って…っ！直感が当たった！バカ！/// 何予言者みたいなロマンチックな確信を言ってるのよ！…でも、その当たりくじ（私）、一生離さずに世界一大切にしなさいよね！』.
On the other hand, 意気投合 (いきとうごう (ikitougou)) maps to "hit it off" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "hit" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "当たる"
宝くじの当選番号の発表日、彼は自分が購入したチケットの番号が幸運にも見事に_______いるのを発見しました。
On the announcement day of the lottery winning numbers, he discovered that the number of the ticket he purchased was luckily and excellently matching (winning).
Bilingual Context for "意気投合"
私は意気投合に興味があります。
I am interested in hit it off.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "宝くじの当選番号の発表日、彼は自分が購入したチケットの番号が幸運にも見事に_______いるのを発見しました。" (Meaning: "On the announcement day of the lottery winning numbers, he discovered that the number of the ticket he purchased was luckily and excellently matching (winning).")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "当たる" fits here because it means "to hit; to strike; to win (lottery); to equivalent to" in the context of: "On the announcement day of the lottery winning numbers, he discovered that the number of the ticket he purchased was luckily and excellently matching (winning).". "意気投合" represents "hit it off".