Meaning and Usage
"攻撃" (こうげき) primarily means "attack" or "offensive action." It is used in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as military attacks, sports offenses, or verbal attacks.
Common Contexts
You will often see "攻撃" in news reports about conflicts, in sports commentary describing offensive plays, and in everyday conversation when someone criticizes or verbally attacks another.
Collocations and Patterns
- 敵の攻撃 (てきのこうげき): enemy attack
- 言葉で攻撃する (ことばでこうげきする): to attack verbally
- 攻撃を防ぐ (こうげきをふせぐ): to defend against an attack
Register and Nuance
"攻撃" is a neutral noun and can be used in formal and informal contexts. When used metaphorically (e.g., verbal attacks), it often implies strong criticism or hostility.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "攻撃" with "防御" (defense). Remember, "攻撃" always refers to the act of attacking or initiating an offensive action.