How to say "bullet" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

弾丸だんがんCommon
nounThe general term: 弾丸 covers the senses 'bullet', 'shot' and 'shell', and is the safe default when you simply mean a bullet, with no need to specify the gun.
その犬いぬは弾丸だんがんのように去さった。↗
The dog went away like a shot.
銃弾じゅうだんCommon
nounA bullet from a rifle: 銃弾 itself names the gun, which the general term does not. It fits talk of shootings and similar incidents.
銃弾じゅうだんが胸むねを貫通かんつうし、彼かれは危篤きとく状態じょうたいに陥おちいった。↗
The bullet penetrated his chest, leaving him in critical condition.

Use 弾丸 as the general word for a bullet, shot or shell, and 銃弾 when you want to state explicitly that the bullet comes from a rifle.

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

Japanese equivalents

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