Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Strike" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "strike", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
罷工
ひこう (hikō)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
一矢報いる
いっしむくいる (isshi mukuiru)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "strike" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 罷工 and 一矢報いる.
In Japanese, 罷工 (ひこう (hikō)) is typically associated with "strike (work stoppage)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 労働者が賃上げや労働条件の改善などを求めて、仕事をやめること。新聞やニュースなどで使われることが多いです。.
On the other hand, 一矢報いる (いっしむくいる (isshi mukuiru)) maps to "to strike back, to get one's own back, to retaliate (even with a single arrow)" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents An idiomatic expression meaning to make a counterattack or retaliation, even if small or symbolic, after suffering a setback or attack.. A literal translation of "strike" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "罷工"
会社が賃上げに応じないため、従業員たちは罷工に入った。
The employees went on strike because the company did not agree to a wage increase.
Bilingual Context for "一矢報いる"
ライバル社に敗れたが、新製品で一矢報いることができた。
Although defeated by a rival company, we were able to strike back with a new product.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "会社が賃上げに応じないため、従業員たちは ＿＿＿ に入った。" (Meaning: "The employees went on strike because the company did not agree to a wage increase.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "罷工" fits here because it means "strike (work stoppage)" in the context of: "The employees went on strike because the company did not agree to a wage increase.". "一矢報いる" represents "to strike back, to get one's own back, to retaliate (even with a single arrow)".