Translation guide
The English word "artillery" refers to large-caliber guns used in warfare, or the branch of an army that uses them. This guide covers how to express these concepts in Japanese, from formal military terms to casual or metaphorical uses.
The physical weapons themselves, such as cannons, howitzers, mortars, and rocket launchers.
General term for artillery pieces, especially in military contexts. Often used in compounds.
敵の火砲が激しい。
The enemy artillery is intense.
Common word for 'cannon' or large gun. Can be used for historical or modern artillery.
城壁に大砲が並んでいた。
Cannons were lined up on the castle walls.
Suffix meaning 'gun' or 'cannon', used in compounds like 榴弾砲 (howitzer) or 迫撃砲 (mortar).
その艦は主砲を発射した。
The ship fired its main guns.
Literally 'artillery soldier', but can refer to the artillery branch or artillerymen.
彼は砲兵として従軍した。
He served as an artilleryman.
The artillery corps or unit within an army.
Artillery unit or corps. Commonly used in military contexts.
砲兵隊が前線を支援した。
The artillery unit supported the front line.
Artillery branch (as a division of the army).
彼は砲兵科の将校だ。
He is an officer in the artillery branch.
The action or effect of artillery fire, often used metaphorically.
Shelling, bombardment. The act of firing artillery.
町は激しい砲撃を受けた。
The town came under heavy artillery fire.
Gunfire, artillery fire. Often used in phrases like 砲火を交える (exchange fire).
Using 'artillery' figuratively, e.g., 'heavy artillery' for strong arguments or resources.
Trump card; a decisive resource or argument. Not a direct translation but conveys the idea of a powerful last resort.
彼は最後の切り札を出した。
He brought out his heavy artillery.
Powerful means. A more literal way to express 'artillery' in a metaphorical sense.
彼らは交渉の強力な手段としてその情報を使った。
They used that information as heavy artillery in the negotiations.
火砲 (かほう) is a more technical military term for artillery pieces, while 大砲 (たいほう) is the common word for 'cannon' and can be used in historical or everyday contexts. 大砲 is more likely to be understood by the general public.
When using 'artillery' metaphorically (e.g., 'bring out the heavy artillery'), direct translations like 大砲を持ち出す may sound odd. Instead, use phrases like 切り札を出す or 強力な手段を使う.
The two armies exchanged artillery fire.
Concentrated fire. Can be used metaphorically for intense criticism.
彼の提案は集中砲火を浴びた。
His proposal came under a barrage of criticism.