The kanji 弾 generally conveys the core meaning of "to shoot," "to bounce," "to flick," or "to spring." It often implies a sudden or forceful action, particularly relating to projectiles or objects in motion. It can also signify a sudden burst or release.

・On-yomi (音読み): だん (dan) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): は（ずむ） (hazumu), たま (tama)

⚫︎ 爆弾 Translation: bomb ⚫︎ 弾丸 Translation: bullet ⚫︎ 弾む Translation: to bounce; to spring

The kanji 弾 is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字, keisei moji). The radical is 弓 (yumi), meaning "bow." The phonetic component is 单 (tan), which suggests the sound. Originally, 弾 was related to shooting arrows from a bow, hence the radical indicating the action of shooting. Over time, its meaning expanded to include other forms of projectiles and actions that involved a sudden or forceful movement or impact.