Translation guide
A Gatling gun is a rapid-fire, multi-barrel weapon. In Japanese, it is usually referred to by the borrowed term ガトリング砲 or the more general 機関砲. This guide covers how to talk about Gatling guns and similar weapons in Japanese.
Referring to a Gatling gun as a specific type of firearm.
Using 'Gatling gun' to describe something that fires rapidly or in quick succession, like words, questions, or actions.
Used metaphorically to mean 'like a Gatling gun', implying rapid, continuous firing of something non-physical.
彼はガトリング砲のように質問を浴びせた。
He fired questions at me like a Gatling gun.
ガトリング砲 specifically refers to the Gatling gun mechanism (rotating barrels). 機関砲 is a broader category that includes Gatling guns but also other automatic cannons (e.g., revolver cannons, chain guns). In military contexts, 機関砲 is more common for modern weapons, while ガトリング砲 is used for historical or specific Gatling-type weapons.
The standard Japanese term for a Gatling gun. Uses the borrowed word 'Gatling' plus 砲 (cannon/gun).
ガトリング砲は南北戦争で初めて使用された。
The Gatling gun was first used in the American Civil War.
A direct loan from English, also commonly understood, especially in casual or pop culture contexts.
映画でガトリングガンを見た。
I saw a Gatling gun in a movie.
A broader term for automatic cannon or machine cannon. Can refer to Gatling-type weapons but also other rapid-fire cannons.
その戦闘機は機関砲を搭載している。
That fighter jet is equipped with an autocannon.
More commonly, Japanese uses 'machine gun' for the same metaphor. This is often more natural than the specific 'Gatling gun'.
彼女はマシンガンのようにしゃべり続けた。
She kept talking like a machine gun.