銃（じゅう、juu）
- gun

The Japanese word 銃 (銃) primarily means "gun," "firearm," or "weapon." It refers to any handheld weapon that uses gunpowder to propel a projectile. This includes various types like pistols, rifles, shotguns, etc. It's a general term encompassing different kinds of guns.

⚫︎ピストル銃 Translation: Pistol ⚫︎ライフル銃 Translation: Rifle ⚫︎銃を扱う Translation: To handle a gun

This word is used in a variety of contexts, including news reports, crime stories, discussions about military or law enforcement, and even in fiction. You'll hear it when talking about gun control, gun violence, or related topics. Be mindful of the sensitivity surrounding this word and use it appropriately.

The word is written as 銃 (銃) in kanji. The reading is じゅう in hiragana. There is no other commonly used way to write this word. The okurigana is fixed.

There aren't many direct synonyms, as 銃 is quite specific. However, depending on context, you might see or use related terms, although they are not perfect replacements. ⚫︎武器 (ぶき): Weapon (more general) ⚫︎火器 (かき): Firearm (can be a bit more formal)

There aren't direct antonyms for 銃 (銃). It's a term for a specific object. However, if you are looking for an opposite idea, you could consider terms related to peace or non-violence.

彼は銃の免許を持っている。 ・Translation: He has a gun license. ・Explanation: This sentence describes someone who has a permit to own or use a firearm.

その映画は銃による暴力が多かった。 ・Translation: That movie had a lot of gun violence. ・Explanation: This describes the presence of gun violence in a film.

The kanji 銃 (銃) is a combination of two parts. The left side is 金 (kin), which means "metal" or "gold." The right side is 隹 (sui) , related to the meaning of "bird." In combination, 銃 likely originally implied a weapon made of metal, perhaps referring to the early firearms, as a “metal bird”.