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Kotomora

弾

bullet, twang, flip, snap

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 1,000Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • ダン
  • タン

Kun'yomi

  • ひ.く
  • -ひ.き
  • はず.む
  • たま
  • はじ.く
  • はじ.ける
  • ただ.す
  • はじ.きゆみ

Meaning

弾 centers on the sudden release of tension: a bullet shot from a gun, a string twanged on a bow, or a quick snap or flip. The meanings all share the idea of something springing or being propelled sharply.

Most common words using 弾

20 of 256
  • 弾だん

    counter for parts, stages, installments, etc. (of a story, series, project, campaign, etc.)

  • 爆弾ばくだん
    N1

    bomb

  • 弾くひく
    N5

    to play (a stringed or keyboard instrument)

  • 弾くはじく
    N1

    to flip; to snap; to flick

  • 弾けるはじける

    to burst open; to split open; to pop

  • 弾薬だんやく

    ammunition; ammo

  • 弾丸だんがん

    bullet; shot; shell

  • 弾きはじき

    gun; pistol

  • 弾圧だんあつ
    N1

    oppression; suppression; pressure

  • 弾道だんどう

    trajectory; line of fire

  • 防弾ぼうだん

    bulletproof; bombproof

  • 銃弾じゅうだん

    bullet (from a rifle)

  • 弾き語りひきがたり

    singing to one's own accompaniment; reciting while playing the shamisen, biwa, etc.

  • 被弾ひだん

    being shot; being bombed

  • 手榴弾しゅりゅうだん

    hand grenade; grenade

  • 糾弾きゅうだん

    censure; denunciation; (verbal) attack; blaming

  • 弾頭だんとう

    warhead

  • 弾力だんりょく
    N1

    elasticity; flexibility

  • 着弾ちゃくだん

    impact (of a projectile); landing (of a bullet); striking

  • 弾むはずむ
    N1

    to spring; to bound; to bounce

Explore all words using 弾 →

Study

Etymology

弾 is the modern simplified form of 彈. The older form combines 弓 (bow) with 單, which likely contributed the sound and the idea of a sling or projectile. The modern right side 単 is a simplification.

Meaning mnemonic

A bow 弓 beside a simple sling 単: picture pulling back a bowstring and releasing it to shoot a bullet or make a twanging snap.

Reading mnemonic

For ダン, imagine a bullet hitting a metal target with a loud 'dan!' sound: dan -> ダン, and the bullet snaps forward from the bow.