Meaning

Primary

To Shoot

Alternative

To Fire

Word Type

godan verb

Explanation

Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means to attack, but 撃つ means to shoot.

This can mean to fire a weapon such as a gun or to shoot a projectile, like an arrow. It can also mean to shoot a person or animal.

Reading

うつ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

What are you going to shoot at? Uni ()! Why? Because this area is overrun with those black, spiky sea urchins. You need to cull them by shooting them down.

Context

Context Sentences

動くな。じっとしていないと、撃つぞ!

Don’t move. Hold still or you’ll be shot!

いや、あのクマを撃つ必要はないだろ。

No, there's no need to shoot that bear.

実戦では、敵を後ろから撃ってでも勝たなければいけない。

In the real battle, you have to win even by shooting the enemy from the rear.

逆説めくが、私はお前を守るために撃ったんだ。

I know it sounds paradoxical, but I shot you to protect you.

Kanji Composition