Translation guide
The sound or act of shooting a gun. In Japanese, the most common word is 銃声 (gunshot sound), but other terms cover the shooting itself, continuous fire, or the sound of bullets flying.
The audible report of a firearm being discharged.
The standard word for the sound of a gunshot. Used in news, literature, and everyday speech.
I heard gunfire in the distance.
The gunfire broke the silence.
Literally 'firing sound'. More technical or formal, often used in police reports or news.
Multiple gunshots were confirmed at the scene.
Refers to the sound of artillery or cannon fire, not small arms. Can be used for heavy gunfire in a military context.
The sound of gunfire echoed across the battlefield.
The action of firing a gun or guns, often in a combat or violent situation.
The act of firing a gun. Used in news reports and formal contexts. Can be a noun or suru-verb.
The police opened fire on the suspect.
Shooting, firing. Often used for military, hunting, or sport shooting. Implies directed fire.
To fire a gun. A common, neutral way to describe the action.
Gunfire, shooting attack. Often used in news for incidents involving exchange of fire.
Sustained shooting, often from multiple weapons or automatic fire.
Gunfire, literally 'gun fire'. Evokes the image of bullets flying. Common in military or action contexts.
The soldiers advanced through the gunfire.
Artillery fire, cannonade. Used for heavy bombardment, not small arms.
The whizzing or cracking sound of bullets passing through the air, rather than the gunshot itself.
銃声 is specifically the sound of a gunshot. 発砲 is the act of firing a gun, often used in formal reports. 銃撃 refers to a shooting attack or exchange of fire, emphasizing the action rather than the sound.
銃火 is a somewhat literary or dramatic term for gunfire (bullets flying). In everyday news or conversation, 銃声 or 発砲 are more natural.
発砲事件が発生した。
A shooting incident occurred.
敵の激しい射撃を受けた。
We came under heavy enemy gunfire.
He fired his gun into the air.
銃撃戦で2人が負傷した。
Two people were injured in the gunfire exchange.
町は激しい砲火にさらされた。
The town was exposed to heavy gunfire.
Volley fire, a simultaneous discharge of many guns. Historical or ceremonial.
The order for a volley of gunfire was given.
A bullet came whizzing by.