パンチ

ぱんち
noun, verb (suru)
punch; impact, force; hole punch
1. punch (strike with the fist)
A blow delivered with the fist, as in boxing or fighting.
(つよ)いパンチを()らった。
I took a hard punch.
ボクサーが相手(あいて)にパンチを()()した。
The boxer threw punches at his opponent.
2. impact, punch, force
Figurative strength or striking quality, used to describe food with bold flavor, designs with visual impact, or statements with force.
(かれ)のジョークはいつもパンチが()いている。
His jokes always pack a punch.
この料理(りょうり)はパンチがあって美味(おい)しい。
This dish has a bold punch of flavor and is delicious.
もう(すこ)しパンチの()いたデザインにしたい。
I'd like a design with a bit more impact.
3. hole punch
A tool used to make holes in paper, typically for filing in binders.
書類(しょるい)にパンチで(あな)()けてファイルに()じた。
I punched holes in the documents and filed them in a binder.
()(あな)パンチを()してもらえますか。
Could I borrow a two-hole punch?
パンチで一度(いちど)(あな)()けられるのは十枚(じゅうまい)までだ。
You can punch holes in up to ten sheets at once.

USAGE:
The figurative sense 2 is very common in everyday Japanese. パンチが()いている / パンチがある describes something with strong impact — spicy food, bold designs, memorable jokes, etc.

Sense 3 (hole punch) is common in office settings. The full form is (あな)あけパンチ, but パンチ alone is usually sufficient in context.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • パンチを()らう: to take a punch
  • パンチを()()す: to throw punches
  • パンチが()いている: to pack a punch, to have impact
  • パンチが(つよ)い: to have strong impact
  • パンチで(あな)()ける: to punch holes