Translation guide
The English word "clash" covers several distinct meanings: a loud noise, a conflict or disagreement, a visual mismatch, and a scheduling conflict. This guide breaks down each meaning and provides natural Japanese expressions.
To express a strong disagreement, fight, or conflict between people, groups, or ideas.
The most direct and common translation for a clash, covering physical collisions, conflicts of opinion, and clashes of interest. Can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (衝突する).
警察とデモ隊が衝突した。
The police clashed with the demonstrators.
彼らの意見はよく衝突する。
Their opinions often clash.
Emphasizes a state of opposition or confrontation, often used for ideological or political clashes. Can be a noun or suru-verb (対立する).
二つの政党が激しく対立している。
The two political parties are fiercely clashing.
A more casual, everyday verb meaning to bump into or clash. Can be used for physical collisions or metaphorical clashes of opinions/schedules.
彼とはいつも意見がぶつかる。
I always clash with him over opinions.
Refers to a dispute, quarrel, or strife. More formal and often used in legal or serious contexts.
領土をめぐる争いが続いている。
The clash over territory continues.
To describe a loud, harsh sound, like metal hitting metal or cymbals.
Literally 'collision sound', used for the noise of things crashing together.
車の衝突音が聞こえた。
I heard the clash of cars.
Onomatopoeic phrase for a clashing or clanging sound, like metal objects hitting each other.
鍋がガチャンという音を立てた。
The pots made a clashing sound.
Describes the sound of things striking each other repeatedly, like swords clashing.
剣が打ち合う音が響いた。
The clash of swords echoed.
To say that colors or patterns do not look good together.
The most common way to say colors or clothes don't match or clash. Literally 'do not fit together'.
その赤とピンクは合わないよ。
That red and pink clash.
A more formal way to say something is not harmonious or clashes aesthetically.
その色の組み合わせは調和しない。
That color combination clashes.
Can be used metaphorically for colors clashing, but sounds a bit strong or technical.
壁の色とカーテンの色が衝突している。
The wall color and curtain color clash.
To say that two events or appointments happen at the same time and cannot both be attended.
The most natural way to say schedules clash. Literally 'overlap'. Often used as 予定が重なる (schedules overlap/clash).
会議の時間が重なってしまった。
The meeting times clashed.
その日は別の予定と重なっています。
That day clashes with another appointment.
A loanword from English 'batting', used informally to mean schedules clash. Common in casual conversation.
その時間はバッティングしてるんだ。
That time clashes for me.
Can be used for schedule conflicts, but sounds more formal and less natural than 重なる.
衝突 (shoutotsu) implies a direct, often physical or sharp clash, while 対立 (tairitsu) suggests a more sustained state of opposition or confrontation, often ideological. For a brief argument, 衝突 is better; for ongoing political tension, 対立 is more appropriate.
When describing colors that don't match, avoid directly translating 'clash' as 衝突する (shoutotsu suru) in casual contexts. It sounds overly dramatic. Use 合わない (awanai) instead.
スケジュールが衝突して参加できません。
My schedule clashes so I cannot attend.