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
的を射る
まとをいる (mato wo iru)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "hit" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 当たる and 的を射る.
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, 的を射る (まとをいる (mato wo iru)) maps to "to hit the mark" (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 "的を射る"
毎日、日本語を練習するために的を射る。
Every day, I hit the mark to practice Japanese.
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).". "的を射る" represents "to hit the mark".