Translation guide
A collision or incident involving vehicles, pedestrians, or other road users. In Japanese, the most common and general term is 交通事故 (こうつうじこ). Depending on context, more specific terms like 車の事故 (くるまのじこ) or 人身事故 (じんしんじこ) may be used.
交通事故
traffic accident
The broad, everyday term for any accident involving vehicles on the road.
The standard, neutral term for a traffic accident. Used in news, reports, and daily conversation.
昨日、交通事故がありました。
There was a traffic accident yesterday.
交通事故のニュースを聞きました。
I heard the news about a traffic accident.
Literally 'car accident'. More casual and specific to cars, but still widely understood.
あの交差点で車の事故があったらしい。
Apparently there was a car accident at that intersection.
When the accident results in personal injury or death, these terms are used in official or news contexts.
An accident involving personal injury or death. Commonly used in train delay announcements and police reports.
人身事故のため、電車が遅れています。
The train is delayed due to a personal injury accident.
A fatal accident. Used in news and formal reports.
For small accidents with only property damage, often used in casual conversation.
Property damage accident. Used in insurance and police contexts.
物損事故なので、警察を呼ばなくてもいいですか？
Since it's just a property damage accident, do I not need to call the police?
Literally 'light accident'. Casual way to say a minor accident.
駐車場で軽い事故を起こしちゃった。
I had a minor accident in the parking lot.
When a driver leaves the scene of an accident.
Hit-and-run, especially when a pedestrian is hit. Can also be used for vehicles.
ひき逃げ事件の目撃者を探しています。
We are looking for witnesses to the hit-and-run incident.
Hit-and-run involving property damage only (e.g., hitting a parked car).
交通事故 is the formal and most common term. 車の事故 is more casual and specifically refers to car accidents, but may not include motorcycles or bicycles. In most situations, 交通事故 is safe and appropriate.
The English loanword トラフィックアクシデント is not used in Japanese. Always use 交通事故 or a more specific term.
昨日、交通事故に遭いました。
I was in a traffic accident yesterday.
高速道路で交通事故がありました。
There's a traffic accident on the highway.
高速道路で死亡事故が発生しました。
A fatal accident occurred on the expressway.
当て逃げされたみたいで、バンパーがへこんでる。
Looks like someone hit my car and ran; the bumper is dented.