Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Run" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "run", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
走る
はしる (hashiru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
突き当たる
つきあたる (tsukiataru)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "run" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 走る and 突き当たる.
In Japanese, 走る (はしる (hashiru)) is typically associated with "to run" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Intransitive verb. Used for physical running. Polite form is 走ります.
On the other hand, 突き当たる (つきあたる (tsukiataru)) maps to "to run into, to collide with" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "run" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "走る"
毎朝、公園を走ります。
I run in the park every morning.
Bilingual Context for "突き当たる"
毎日、日本語を練習するために突き当たる。
Every day, I run into, to collide with to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "毎朝、公園を走ります。" (Meaning: "I run in the park every morning.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "走る" fits here because it means "to run" in the context of: "I run in the park every morning.". "突き当たる" represents "to run into, to collide with".