Translation guide
The English verb "shoot" covers many meanings, from firing a weapon to filming a movie to scoring in sports. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese equivalents by meaning, with notes on natural usage.
To discharge a firearm or other projectile weapon
The most common verb for shooting a gun or firearm.
彼はピストルを撃った。
He shot a pistol.
Often used for shooting arrows or in archery contexts, but can overlap with 撃つ.
彼は矢を射った。
He shot an arrow.
Formal term for discharging a firearm, often used in news or legal contexts.
警察が発砲した。
The police fired shots.
To record moving images or take a photograph
General verb for taking photos or filming video.
映画を撮る。
To shoot a movie.
写真を撮ってもいいですか？
May I take a photo?
More formal or technical term for filming or photography.
ロケ地で撮影する。
To shoot on location.
To attempt to score a goal or point by kicking, throwing, or hitting a ball
Loanword from English, used in many sports like soccer, basketball, hockey.
彼はゴールにシュートした。
He shot at the goal.
Used in baseball (batting) or golf (hitting the ball).
ホームランを打つ。
To hit a home run.
Specifically for kicking a ball, as in soccer.
ボールを蹴る。
To kick the ball.
To move suddenly and quickly in a direction
To dash out or spring out suddenly.
猫が部屋から飛び出した。
The cat shot out of the room.
A more literal 'move suddenly', but less idiomatic than 飛び出す.
彼は急に動いた。
He shot forward suddenly.
To inject an illicit drug
Slang term for injecting drugs, similar to 'shoot up'.
彼はヘロインを打った。
He shot heroin.
To send a message, look, or question rapidly
Used for sending messages, emails, etc. quickly.
彼にメールを送った。
I shot him an email.
To shoot a glance.
彼女は彼に冷たい視線を送った。
She shot him a cold look.
A new growth from a plant
General word for bud or sprout.
新しい芽が出た。
New shoots came out.
Specifically young shoots or sprouts.
春になると若芽が出る。
Young shoots appear in spring.
English uses 'shoot' metaphorically for quick movement (e.g., 'shoot up', 'shoot out'), but Japanese uses specific verbs like 飛び出す (tobidasu) or 急に上がる (kyuu ni agaru). Avoid direct translation with 撃つ (utsu) unless firearms are involved.
撮る (toru) is the everyday verb for taking photos or filming. 撮影する (satsuei suru) is more formal and often used in professional contexts or written language.