Translation and Meaning of: 打つ - utsu

If you've ever heard someone mention 打つ (うつ) in Japanese, you may have noticed that this word goes far beyond just "to hit." It appears in various contexts, from fights to sports, and even in idiomatic expressions that don't always make sense in direct translation. In this article, you will discover the origin of this kanji, how it is used in daily life, and even some curiosities that will help you memorize it for good. Here at Suki Nihongo, in addition to meaning and translation, you will also find writing tips and ready-made sentences to include in your Anki or other spaced repetition system.

Etymology and origin of the kanji 打つ

The kanji 打 is composed of the radical 扌 (which indicates action with the hands) and the phonetic component 丁, which helps with pronunciation. Originally, in China, this character represented the sound of a drum being struck, and over time, it gained the broader meaning of "to strike" or "to hit". In Japan, it retained this essence but also acquired more abstract uses, such as in 打ち明ける (to confess) or 打ち合わせ (meeting).

An interesting fact is that, although the verb 打つ is often associated with physical actions, it also appears in digital contexts, such as キーボードを打つ (typing on the keyboard). This shows how the Japanese language adapts old to modern realities without losing its connection to its roots.

Everyday use and popular expressions

In daily life, the Japanese use 打つ in situations ranging from baseball (ボールを打つ – hitting the ball) to serious problems, such as 雷に打たれる (being struck by lightning). A common expression is 一撃を打つ, which means "to deliver a decisive blow," whether in a discussion or in a game. If you've ever played Street Fighter, the Hadouken? That's right, even in games, this idea of "striking" appears!

Another interesting use is in phrases like 釘を打つ (to drive a nail), where the action is not necessarily violent, but still maintains the notion of impact. And if you are learning Japanese, it's worth noting the difference between 打つ (utsu) and 叩く (tataku) (to hit repeatedly), as many students confuse the two.

Tips for memorizing and avoiding mistakes

A simple way to the kanji 打 is to associate it with the image of someone knocking on a door with their hand (thanks to the radical 扌). If you like sports, think of a baseball player hitting the ball – this scene helps to reinforce both the meaning and the writing. Another tip is to create flashcards with sentences like 彼は壁を打った (He hit the wall) to see the verb in context.

Beware of false cognates! In Portuguese, "dar um tiro" might remind you of 打つ, but in Japanese, shooting with a weapon is 撃つ (same pronunciation, different kanji). And if you have heard of 打ち水 (throwing water on the ground to cool it down), know that even without "hitting," the word retains the idea of a quick and direct action – yet another proof of how rich in nuances the Japanese language is.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 打つ

• 打つ Japanese verb - Base: うつ
• Eu bato - うつ
• You hit - うつ
• He/She beats - うつ
• We hit - うつ
• You beat - うつ
• They/Them fight - うつ

Synonyms and similar words

• 叩く (tataku) - Hit with the hand or a surface.
• 打ち込む (uchikomu) - Insert or push deeply, used in contexts of data entry.
• 殴る (naguru) - To hit or beat someone, usually with the intention of hurting.
• 打撃する (dageki suru) - To deliver a blow can have a technical meaning in sports or combat.
• 打ち出す (uchidasu) - Launch or introduce something, such as an idea or an impression (as in a context of imprint).
• 打ち合わせる (uchiawaseru) - Combine or discuss (meeting or gathering).
• 打ち消す (uchikesu) - Deny or annul, with the meaning of undoing an action or an impact.
• 打ち込み作業する (uchikomi sagyou suru) - Working on data entry tasks, usually related to typing or programming work.
• 打ち込み練習する (uchikomi renshuu suru) - Practice insertion, as in typing or a specific technique.
• 打ち込み音 (uchikomi on) - Insertion sound often refers to typing sounds.
• 打ち込みミス (uchikomi misu) - Insertion error, usually in the context of typing.
• 打ち込み方 (uchikomi kata) - Insertion method, referring to typing techniques.
• 打ち込みキー (uchikomi kii) - Insert key, referring to the keys on a keyboard used for typing.
• 打ち込みテスト (uchikomi tesuto) - Insertion test, commonly related to typing or data entry tests.
• 打ち込みゲーム (uchikomi geemu) - Insertion game, often referring to typing games.