How to say "impact" in Japanese

• 影響えいきょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers 'impact' in the sense of influence or effect: the impact a policy, event, or change has on something. The natural choice whenever 'impact' could be replaced by 'effect' or 'influence'.
  多おおくのテレビ番組ばんぐみが子供こどもたちに悪わるい影響えいきょうを与あたえている。↗

  Many TV programs have a bad influence on children.
• 衝撃しょうげきJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers impact as a physical blow or jolt, and shock — the shock of a collision or of startling news. Choose it when 'impact' involves force striking something, or when 'shock' fits.
  バンパーが衝撃しょうげきをいくらか吸収きゅうしゅうしてくれた。↗

  The car bumper absorbed some of the impact.
• インパクトCommon
  nounThe katakana loanword. Used for 'impact (on)' something — the effect something has — and for a strong impression, the forceful effect a performance, design, or remark makes. It overlaps with 影響 and 衝撃.
  あのコマーシャルってインパクト強つよいね。特とくに、音楽おんがくが耳みみに残のこるよ。↗

  That commercial makes a strong impression - especially the music. It stays in your head.
• 着弾ちゃくだんCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbStrictly for projectiles: the impact of a bullet or shell landing or striking. For any other sense of 'impact' this is not the word you want — it really means a projectile's landing or strike.
  外はずれた。相手あいてに着弾ちゃくだんしていない。↗

  Off-target. My opponent hadn't been hit.
• 衝突しょうとつJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbImpact as a collision: things running into each other — a crash between vehicles, objects striking one another. Choose it when 'impact' means the collision itself rather than its effect or shock.
  車くるまがトラックに衝突しょうとつした。↗

  The car collided with a truck.

Choose 影響 when impact means influence or effect, 衝撃 for physical impact and shock, 衝突 for collisions, 「インパクト」 for a strong impression or impact on something, and 着弾 only for a projectile's impact.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 影響えいきょうinfluence
• 衝撃しょうげきimpact
• インパクトimpact (on)
• 着弾ちゃくだんimpact (of a projectile)
• 衝突しょうとつcollision
• 迫力はくりょくimpressiveness
• 震動しんどうshock
• 弾着だんちゃくhit (of a bullet, shell, etc.)
• 影響を及ぼすえいきょうをおよぼすto affect
• ショックshock (physical)
• 煽りあおりinfluence
• パンチpunch (in a song, speech, etc.)