The Word “Collide”: Meaning, Usage, and Translations Across 30 Languages
Meaning of “Collide”
The word “collide” refers to the action of two or more objects coming into contact with forceful impact, typically in a violent or unexpected manner. It is often used in the context of physical objects, but it can also describe conflicting ideas, interests, or forces. The term implies a sense of impact, clash, or collision, and is used in various contexts ranging from physical science to metaphorical use.
- Physical Impact:
In the most literal sense, “collide” describes when two objects strike each other with force. This can happen in contexts such as car accidents, sports, or natural phenomena like meteor impacts. - Conflict or Clash of Ideas:
“Collide” can also be used metaphorically to describe situations where ideas, opinions, or cultures come into sharp conflict or disagreement. For example, when different political parties or ideologies clash, we might say their views collide. - Astronomical Collisions:
In scientific terms, especially in astronomy, collisions often refer to the impact between celestial bodies, such as planets or asteroids, which can result in significant changes in their trajectories or even lead to destruction. - Figurative Use:
The word “collide” is also used in a figurative sense to describe the encounter or conflict between two opposing forces or ideas. For example, “Two cultures collided when they met,” indicates a cultural clash or the challenges that arise when different groups or values interact.
Usage of “Collide” in Different Contexts
- Physical Collision:
“The two cars collided at the intersection, causing severe damage.” This example refers to a physical collision between two objects. - Conflict of Ideas:
“The two teams’ strategies collided during the final match.” This suggests a clash of approaches or tactics, typically in a competitive context. - Astronomical Collision:
“Scientists predict that an asteroid could collide with Earth in the distant future.” This refers to the possible impact of celestial bodies in space. - Metaphorical Use (Clash of Cultures):
“When the two cultures collided, it led to a mix of traditions and practices.” This implies a blending or conflict between different cultural values or practices. - Clash of Interests:
“The company’s goals collided with the environmental concerns of local communities.” This indicates a disagreement or clash between different priorities.
Translations of “Collide” in 30 Languages
The concept of collision or clash is universal, and the word “collide” has various translations that reflect this idea in different languages. Below are translations of “collide” along with example sentences illustrating its use.
| Language | Translation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| English | Collide | “The two cars collided at high speed.” |
| Spanish | Colisionar | “Los dos coches colisionaron en la intersección.” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| French | Collider | “Les deux trains sont entrés en collision.” (The two trains collided.) |
| German | Kollision | “Die beiden Autos kollidierten bei hohem Tempo.” (The two cars collided at high speed.) |
| Italian | Collidere | “Le due automobili si sono collide.” (The two cars collided.) |
| Portuguese | Colidir | “Os carros colidiram na esquina.” (The cars collided at the corner.) |
| Russian | Столкнуться (Stolknutsya) | “Машины столкнулись на перекрёстке.” (The cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Chinese | 相撞 (Xiāngzhuàng) | “两辆车在交叉口相撞。” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Japanese | 衝突する (Shōtotsu suru) | “2台の車が交差点で衝突しました。” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Korean | 충돌하다 (Chungdolhada) | “두 차가 교차로에서 충돌했다.” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Hindi | टकराना (Takrana) | “दो गाड़ियाँ चौराहे पर टकरा गईं।” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Bengali | সংঘর্ষ (Songhorso) | “দুটি গাড়ি চৌকিতে সংঘর্ষ ঘটল।” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Turkish | Çarpışmak | “İki araba kavşakta çarpıştı.” (Two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Dutch | Botsen | “De twee auto’s botsten op hoge snelheid.” (The two cars collided at high speed.) |
| Swedish | Krocka | “De två bilarna krockade vid hög hastighet.” (The two cars collided at high speed.) |
| Norwegian | Kollidere | “De to bilene kolliderte i høy hastighet.” (The two cars collided at high speed.) |
| Greek | Συγκρούομαι (Syngrómē) | “Τα δύο αυτοκίνητα συγκρούστηκαν.” (The two cars collided.) |
| Polish | Zderzyć się | “Samochody zderzyły się na skrzyżowaniu.” (The cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Czech | Srazit se | “Obě auta se srazila na křižovatce.” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Finnish | Törmätä | “Kaksi autoa törmäsi risteyksessä.” (Two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Hungarian | Összeütközik | “A két autó összeütközött a kereszteződésben.” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Hebrew | להתנגש (Lehitnagesh) | “הם התנגשו בצומת.” (They collided at the intersection.) |
| Thai | ปะทะ (Bà-thá) | “รถสองคันปะทะกันที่ทางแยก.” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Indonesian | Bertabrakan | “Dua mobil bertabrakan di persimpangan.” (Two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Malay | Bertembung | “Dua kereta bertembung di persimpangan.” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Vietnamese | Va chạm | “Hai chiếc xe đã va chạm tại ngã tư.” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Ukrainian | Стикнутися (Styknutysya) | “Автомобілі зіткнулися на перехресті.” (The cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Romanian | A colida | “Cele două mașini s-au ciocnit.” (The two cars collided.) |
| Swahili | Kugongana | “Magari mawili yalikutana kwenye kivuko.” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Persian | برخورد کردن (Barkhord kardan) | “دو اتومبیل در تقاطع به هم برخورد کردند.” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Malayalam | പൊട്ടിത്തെറിക്കുക (Pottitherikkuka) | “രണ്ടു കാർകൾ വഴിയുള്ള ചുരത്തിലുണ്ടായ പൊട്ടിത്തെറിക്കൽ.” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
| Tamil | மோதல் (Mōthal) | “அந்த இரண்டு கார்கள் சாலையில் மோதின.” (The two cars collided on the street.) |
| Arabic | تصادم (Tasādom) | “اصطدمت السيارتان في التقاطع.” (The two cars collided at the intersection.) |
Conclusion
The word “collide” conveys a sense of forceful impact or clash, whether it’s describing the physical meeting of objects, the conflict of ideas, or the forceful interaction of opposing forces. It is widely used in various contexts, ranging from physical accidents to metaphorical situations involving conflicting beliefs, interests, or forces.
Across languages, the concept of collision is universally understood and has a similar meaning, whether describing a car accident, a physical encounter, or a clash of ideas. The impact of “collide” extends beyond the physical to influence many areas of life and human interaction, from science and theater to politics and philosophy. The word “collide” is a vivid reminder of the energy and consequences that occur when forces meet—whether in the material world or in the realm of ideas.
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