追突

• Reading: ついとつ
• Romaji: tsuitotsu
• Kanji breakdown: 追 (tsui) — chase, follow; 突 (totsu) — thrust, collide,突く
• Pronunciation: /tsɯi.to.tsɯ/

Meaning

A rear-end collision; crashing into the back of another vehicle.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (追突する). A traffic/accident term specifically for when one vehicle hits the rear of another. The at-fault party is typically the driver who rear-ended the other. Very commonly encountered in news reports and insurance contexts. Often appears as 追突事故 (rear-end collision accident).

Examples

1. 高速道路で追突事故が発生した。 A rear-end collision occurred on the highway.
2. 前の車に追突してしまい、保険会社に連絡した。 I rear-ended the car in front of me and contacted my insurance company.
3. 車間距離を取れば追突を防げる。 Keeping a safe following distance can prevent rear-end collisions.

Usage Guide

Context: traffic, accidents, insurance, news

Tone: factual

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 追 (tsui, to chase/follow behind) + 突 (totsu, to thrust/collide). Literally 'to follow and collide,' precisely describing the mechanics of a rear-end collision.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal