Translation guide
The English word "whack" has several distinct meanings: hitting something hard, being out of order, an attempt, killing, and slang for masturbation. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each.
To hit something or someone with a sharp, loud blow.
General verb for hitting, slapping, or striking. Can be used for hitting objects or people.
彼はテーブルを叩いた。
He whacked the table.
To punch or strike with a fist, usually a person. More violent than 叩く.
彼は相手を殴った。
He whacked his opponent.
Colloquial verb for hitting or striking, often with a thud. Can be used for hitting objects or people.
彼は壁をぶった。
He whacked the wall.
To hit, strike, or beat. Often used in set phrases or for hitting with an instrument. Can sound formal or literary.
彼は釘を打った。
He whacked the nail.
Describing something that is broken, malfunctioning, or not right.
Literally "condition is bad". A common, natural way to say something is not working properly.
この機械は調子が悪い。
This machine is whack.
Means "out of order" or "broken down". More technical than 調子が悪い.
エアコンが故障している。
The AC is whack.
Means "strange" or "not right". Can be used for things that seem off or broken.
To have a go at something; to try doing something.
Literally "try doing". The most natural way to say "have a whack at something".
料理に挑戦してみるよ。
I'll have a whack at cooking.
Means "try out" or "give it a try". Slightly more formal than やってみる.
新しい方法を試してみよう。
Let's have a whack at the new method.
To kill someone, often used in criminal or gangster contexts.
Standard verb for "kill". Direct and blunt.
彼は敵を殺した。
He whacked the enemy.
Slang for "rub out" or "eliminate". Common in yakuza movies.
あいつを消せ。
Whack that guy.
Euphemistic slang for killing. Very casual and rough.
裏切り者はやっちまえ。
Whack the traitor.
Slang term for male masturbation.
Loanword from German "Onanie". Common and neutral slang for masturbation.
彼は毎日オナニーをしている。
He whacks off every day.
Vulgar slang verb for male masturbation. Very casual and crude.
昨日シコった。
I whacked off yesterday.
Slang meaning "to jerk off". Can be used in phrases like 一発抜く.
ちょっと抜いてくる。
I'm gonna go whack one out.
Do not translate "out of whack" literally. Use 調子が悪い or 故障している instead. There is no direct Japanese equivalent for the phrase "out of whack".
叩く is a general hit/slap, often with an open hand or object. 殴る is a punch with a fist, usually against a person. ぶつ is a casual, thudding hit, often used for hitting inanimate objects or in rough speech.
テレビの調子が悪い。
The TV is out of whack.
やってみなよ！
Give it a whack!
このパソコン、なんかおかしい。
This computer is kind of whack.