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JLPT N115画 · 15 strokesradical 行freq #972

collide, brunt, highway, opposition (astronomy)

Also: thrust, pierce, stab, prick

On'yomi (音読み)

  • ショウ

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • つ.く

Mnemonic

As cars on the highway collide, they leave a marking shockwave that demonstrates the powerful impact of opposition and how forces meet.

About this kanji

The kanji 衝 (shou) primarily means to collide or to thrust, often referring to a sudden impactful action. It can function as both a noun and a verb, but it is more frequently seen in compound words. For instance, 衝撃 (shougeki) means 'impact' and refers to a strong force that hits something. 衝突 (shoutotsu) translates to 'collision,' often used for accidents. Another example is 衝動 (shoudou), meaning 'impulse,' describing a sudden urge to act. This kanji is commonly used in discussions about accidents and forces, so it’s helpful to know as you expand your vocabulary.

Example sentences

  • 意見が衝突した。

    Opinions clashed.

Meanings across languages

English
collide, brunt, highway, opposition (astronomy), thrust, pierce, stab, prick
Tiếng Việt
va chạm, sốc, đường cao tốc, đối kháng (thiên văn học), đẩy, xuyên, đâm, châm cứu
日本語
衝突, 衝撃, 高速道路, 対抗, 突き刺す, 突く, 刺す, 突き刺す
한국어
충돌하다, 충격, 고속도로, 대립, 찌르다, 관통하다, 찌르다, 쨔다
中文
碰撞, 冲击, 公路, 对抗, 刺, 刺穿, 戳, 刺
id
tumbukan
th
ปะทะ
es
colisionar
fr
choquer
de
kollidieren
pt
colidir

Common compounds

  • 衝撃しょうげきimpact, shock, impulse
  • 衝突しょうとつcollision, crash, impact
  • 折衝せっしょうnegotiation
  • 衝動しょうどうimpulse, urge, impetus
  • 要衝ようしょうimportant point, strategic position, key point
  • 緩衝かんしょうshock absorption, buffer action, cushioning
  • 衝撃波しょうげきはshock wave
  • 緩衝地帯かんしょうちたいbuffer zone

Want to actually learn this kanji?

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