Translation guide
A firearm is a portable gun, such as a pistol, rifle, or shotgun. In Japanese, the general term is 銃 (じゅう), but specific types and contexts require different words.
To refer to a firearm in general, without specifying the type.
The most common and general word for 'gun' or 'firearm'. Can be used for pistols, rifles, etc.
He was carrying a firearm.
銃による暴力が問題になっている。
Gun violence is a problem.
A more technical or formal term for 'firearm', often used in legal or military contexts.
火器の使用は厳しく制限されている。
The use of firearms is strictly restricted.
An older or colloquial term for 'gun', originally referring to matchlock guns. Now can sound historical or rustic.
昔の侍は鉄砲を使った。
Samurai of old used firearms.
To refer specifically to a handgun, such as a pistol or revolver.
The standard word for 'handgun' or 'pistol'. Used in police and legal contexts.
警察官は拳銃を携帯している。
Police officers carry handguns.
犯人は拳銃を発砲した。
The suspect fired a handgun.
A common loanword for 'pistol'. Slightly more casual than 拳銃, but widely understood.
Loanword for 'handgun', used in some contexts but less common than 拳銃 or ピストル.
彼はハンドガンのコレクターだ。
He is a handgun collector.
To refer to a long-barreled firearm, such as a rifle or shotgun.
The standard loanword for 'rifle'. Used for both military and sporting rifles.
兵士はライフルを構えた。
The soldier aimed his rifle.
狩猟用のライフルを買った。
I bought a hunting rifle.
The technical term for 'shotgun'. Often used in legal or hunting contexts.
Loanword for 'shotgun', common in casual or media contexts.
A somewhat dated term for 'rifle' or 'small arm', used in military history contexts.
To refer to a fully automatic firearm.
The standard word for 'machine gun'. Used in military contexts.
機関銃の音が戦場に響いた。
The sound of machine guns echoed across the battlefield.
Loanword for 'machine gun', often used in casual speech or fiction.
To refer to a fake or toy gun.
Refers to a model gun or replica firearm, often used by collectors or in displays.
模型銃のコレクションを見せてもらった。
I was shown a collection of replica firearms.
Literally 'toy gun'. Common for children's toys.
子供がおもちゃの銃で遊んでいる。
The child is playing with a toy gun.
Airsoft gun or air gun, often used in sports or hobbies.
While 火器 is a correct translation, it sounds technical and is rarely used in everyday conversation. Stick to 銃 for general references.
Many specific firearm types are formed by adding 銃 to a descriptor, e.g., 拳銃 (handgun), 機関銃 (machine gun), 散弾銃 (shotgun). This pattern is productive and widely understood.
西部劇ではピストルがよく使われる。
Pistols are often used in Westerns.
散弾銃はクレー射撃に使われる。
Shotguns are used for clay shooting.
映画でショットガンを見た。
I saw a shotgun in the movie.
小銃の訓練を受けた。
I received rifle training.
ギャングがマシンガンを乱射した。
The gangsters fired machine guns wildly.
エアガンでサバイバルゲームをする。
We play survival games with airsoft guns.