How to say "weapon" in Japanese

• 武器ぶきJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe default word for a weapon in any general sense, from a knife to figurative 'weapons' in an argument. When you just mean 'weapon', this is usually the word you want.
  その軍隊ぐんたいは十分じゅうぶんな武器ぶきを持もっていた。↗

  The troops had plenty of arms.
• 兵器へいきJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers weapons as military equipment—arms and ordnance such as guns or missiles rather than an individual handheld weapon. Choose it for hardware in a military or technical context.
  核兵器かくへいきを全面的ぜんめんてきに禁止きんしして初はじめて、兵器へいき競争きょうそうを止とめさせることができる。↗

  Only by prohibiting nuclear weapons altogether can we stop the arms race.
• 矛ほこCommon
  nounLiterally a spear or pike; as a translation of 'weapon' it is largely limited to that specific arm, historical or literary usage, and set phrasing. Seldom the general word you want for 'weapon'.
• 弓矢ゆみやCommon
  nounLiterally 'bow and arrows'; it counts as a weapon only in that specific sense, in historical or literary contexts. Not a general word for 'weapon'—use 武器 instead.

Use 武器 for weapons in general, 兵器 for military hardware and ordnance, and reach for 矛 or 弓矢 only when speaking of the traditional arms they literally name.

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

• 武器ぶきweapon
• 兵器へいきarms
• ウェポンweapon
• 干戈かんかweapon
• 矢刃しじんweapon
• 得物えもの(hand) weapon
• 矛ほこweapon
• 弓矢ゆみやweapon
• 爪牙そうがclutches