拳銃（けんじゅう、kenjuu）
- handgun

The Japanese word 拳銃 kenjuu means "pistol," "handgun," or "revolver." It refers to a type of firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand. It is a noun.

⚫︎拳銃を隠し持っているのを見た。 Translation: I saw him concealing a pistol. ⚫︎警察官は拳銃を所持している。 Translation: The police officer carries a pistol. ⚫︎その映画では、主人公は拳銃を使って敵を倒した。 Translation: In that movie, the protagonist defeated the enemy using a pistol.

This word is used when referring to handguns in various contexts, such as describing crimes, police work, movies, or historical events. It is a formal word, suitable for both written and spoken Japanese. Use 拳銃 to describe the weapon itself, not the act of shooting or firing.

The word is typically written with the kanji 拳銃. The reading is けんじゅう in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word and no variations in okurigana.

⚫︎There are no direct perfect synonyms in Japanese. However, one could use the more general term 銃 juu (gun) if the specific type of firearm is not important.

⚫︎There are no direct antonyms for 拳銃, as it is a specific type of weapon. The concept of a weapon itself might be contrasted with a harmless item.

強盗は拳銃を取り出して、金庫を開けろと脅した。 ・Translation: The robber pulled out a pistol and threatened to open the safe. ・Explanation: This sentence describes a situation involving a robber and a 拳銃.

拳銃の携帯は、日本では厳しく規制されています。 ・Translation: Carrying a pistol is strictly regulated in Japan. ・Explanation: This sentence explains the legal status of carrying a 拳銃 in Japan.

The word 拳銃 is a compound word. 拳 ken means "fist" or "hand," and 銃 juu means "gun." So, it literally translates to "hand gun" or "fist gun," reflecting its use as a weapon held in the hand.