noun
gunfight; exchange of shots; firefight
Refers to a mutual exchange of gunfire, typically in a combat or conflict situation. Can be used for both military and criminal contexts.
警察と犯人の間で激しい撃ち合いが始まった。
A fierce gunfight broke out between the police and the criminal.
西部劇ではよく撃ち合いのシーンがある。
Western movies often have gunfight scenes.
銃撃戦 is a more formal or technical term for a gun battle, often used in news reports. 撃ち合い is more colloquial and emphasizes the mutual exchange of fire.
Compound of 撃ち (uchi, continuative form of 撃つ 'to shoot') + 合い (ai, continuative form of 合う 'to do mutually'), literally 'shooting each other'.