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弾薬 (だんやく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

弾だん薬やく

だ

ん

や

く

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

noun

ammunition; ammo

General term for bullets, shells, and other projectiles fired from weapons. Used in military, law enforcement, and figurative contexts.

兵へい士したちは弾だん薬やくを運はこんでいた。
The soldiers were carrying ammunition.
この銃じゅうの弾だん薬やくはどこで買かえますか。
Where can I buy ammunition for this gun?

Kanji

弾bullet, twang, flip
薬medicine, chemical, enamel

Similar words

弾だん丸がん
弾丸 refers specifically to a bullet or projectile, while 弾薬 is the broader term for ammunition including cartridges and shells.
火か薬やく
火薬 means gunpowder or explosive powder, a component of ammunition, whereas 弾薬 is the complete ready-to-use round.

Etymology

Compound of 弾 (dan, 'bullet') and 薬 (yaku, 'medicine' or 'chemical substance'), originally referring to gunpowder as a 'chemical' for bullets. The meaning extended to ammunition in general.