How to say "gun" in Japanese

• ガンCommon
  nounThe loanword, covering guns generally. Common in everyday speech and writing, especially in casual contexts, media, and borrowed phrases; a safe choice when speaking of guns as a general concept.
• 銃じゅうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe main word for a gun or firearm, covering rifles, pistols, and small arms generally. This is usually the word you want for guns in neutral, everyday usage.
  警察けいさつは簡単かんたんに銃じゅうを使つかってはいけない。↗

  Police can't be trigger happy.
• 砲ほうCommon
  noun, noun (suffix)Covers guns in the sense of cannon, artillery, and ordnance — large weapons rather than handheld firearms. Not the word for a pistol or rifle; think heavy military guns.
• 鉄砲てっぽうJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounA firearm or gun, often with an old-fashioned flavor, historically associated with matchlock guns. Understandable for firearms generally, but 銃 is typically the more neutral everyday choice.
  合衆国がっしゅうこくでは２億１６００万におくいちろくれいれいまん丁ちょうもの鉄砲てっぽう類るいが、民間みんかんの手てにあるという。↗

  In the U.S., as many as 216 million firearms are said to be in private hands.
• はじきCommon
  nounA colloquial word for a gun or pistol, usually written in kana. Informal and marginal compared with the other options; seldom the word you want in neutral contexts.
  サツにハジキを持もっているのをみつかるなよ。↗

  Don't let the cops find a heater on you.

Use 銃 for guns and firearms in general, 砲 for large artillery pieces, 鉄砲 for old-style firearms, 「ガン」 as the loanword, and 「はじき」 only colloquially for pistols.

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

• ガンgun
• 銃じゅうgun
• 砲ほうgun
• 鉄砲てっぽうgun
• はじきgun
• 大砲たいほう(large) gun
• 火砲かほう(large) gun
• 筒つつgun
• おはじきgun