How to say "ammunition" in Japanese

• 弾薬だんやくCommon
  nounThe usual word for ammunition in the literal military sense — bullets, shells, and rounds carried or stored for weapons. Use it whenever you need the straightforward term for 'ammo' in a combat or supply context.
• 矢玉やだま
  nounA less common word glossed as arrows and bullets, i.e. missiles and projectiles. Given its gloss, it is seldom the word you want for ordinary 'ammunition'; use it mainly when arrows and bullets are meant together as projectiles.

For the everyday sense of 'ammunition' as bullets and shells for firearms, use 弾薬; 矢玉 is a less common word whose gloss centers on arrows and bullets as projectiles, so it is rarely the word you want.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 弾薬だんやくammunition
• 矢玉やだまammunition