撃つ・射つ|うつutsu[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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Which spelling to use
撃つ撃つ（うつ） is the most common written form, using kanji and kana; it is the form beginners should normally use in writing.
射つ射つ（うつ） is a rarely used written variant, also using kanji and kana; you will seldom need to choose it.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto shoot (a gun, person, etc.); to fire
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 撃つ（うつ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 撃ちます（うちます） |
| Negative (nai) | 撃たない（うたない） |
| polite (masen) | 撃ちません（うちません） |
| classical zu / nu | 撃たず・撃たぬ（うたず・うたぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 撃った（うった） |
| polite (mashita) | 撃ちました（うちました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 撃たなかった（うたなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 撃ちませんでした（うちませんでした） |
| Te form | 撃って（うって） |
| Potential | 撃てる（うてる） |
| Passive | 撃たれる（うたれる） |
| Causative | 撃たせる（うたせる） |
| Causative passive | 撃たせられる・撃たされる（うたせられる・うたされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 撃てば（うてば） |
| tara | 撃ったら（うったら） |
| Volitional | 撃とう（うとう） |
| polite (mashou) | 撃ちましょう（うちましょう） |
| Imperative | 撃て（うて） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym放つはなつWrittenWritten register. To let fly or release, as in 「矢を放つ」; its objects range from arrows to light and words. More literary than 「撃つ」.
- Synonym発射はっしゃWrittenWritten. Firing or launching bullets, rockets and missiles, as in 「ミサイルを発射する」; leans mechanical and military.
- Synonym銃撃じゅうげきNeutralNeutral. Gunfire at a target, as in 「銃撃事件」; heard most often in news reports.
- Synonym発砲はっぽうNeutralNeutral. Firing a gun, as in 「警察官が発砲する」; stresses the act of opening fire itself.
- Synonym射撃しゃげきNeutralNeutral. Shooting at a target with aim; also the sport, as in 「射撃競技」.
- SynonymシュートCasualA colloquial loanword. Shooting a ball at a goal or basket; it only overlaps with 「撃つ」 in the sense of sending something out.
- Synonymぶっ放すぶっぱなすCasualColloquial. Firing a gun or cannon abruptly and hard, with a rough, unrestrained tone.
- Synonym射出しゃしゅつWrittenWritten. Shooting out or spraying forth; a technical term rather than everyday speech.
- RelatedシュートCasualA colloquial loanword. Shooting a ball at a goal or basket; it only overlaps with 「撃つ」 in the sense of sending something out.
- Related討つうつWrittenWritten. To attack or subdue an enemy, as in 「仇を討つ」; the emphasis is on destroying the opponent.
- RelatedぶつNeutralRead 「ぶつ」. Colloquial: hitting or striking people and things, also giving a speech; 「撃つ」 is specifically shooting with guns.
- Related飛ばすとばすNeutralNeutral. Making something fly, as in 「紙飛行機を飛ばす」; a broad word, not limited to shooting.
- Related投げるなげるNeutralNeutral. Throwing with the hand, as in 「ボールを投げる」; 「撃つ」 means launching with a gun or cannon.
For shooting with guns or cannons, use 「撃つ」, as in 「銃を撃つ」 and 「大砲を撃つ」. News reports of gunfire use 「発砲」 or 「銃撃」; rockets and missiles take 「発射」, arrows 「放つ」, and shooting at goal in ball sports 「シュート」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
