短銃|たんじゅうtanjuu[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounpistol

• Synonym拳銃けんじゅうNeutralThe standard, most common word for a handgun; 「短銃」 is just another name for it and now sounds old-fashioned or legal.
• SynonymピストルNeutralA loanword for a handgun, common in everyday speech; it also means the starter's pistol used in races.
• SynonymはじきCasualUnderworld slang for a gun, rare; it also names ohajiki, the children's game of flicking glass pieces.
• SynonymチャカCasualYakuza slang for a pistol; colloquial, with a distinct underworld flavor.
• Synonym短筒たんづつWrittenA short-barreled, one-handed gun; mostly seen in period dramas and historical contexts, while everyday speech says 「拳銃」.
• Synonym懐鉄砲WrittenAn old-fashioned word for a small pistol carried hidden in one's clothes; rarely used today.
• Related小銃しょうじゅうNeutralA rifle — a long-barreled military gun for infantry — so a different weapon from the handgun 「短銃」.

For a handgun, 「拳銃」 is the standard term and 「ピストル」 the everyday loanword; 「短銃」 itself now sounds old-fashioned or legal. 「チャカ」 is underworld slang, 「短筒」 belongs to period dramas and history, 「懐鉄砲」 and 「弾き」 are rare, and 「小銃」 means rifle.

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

1. 拳銃けんじゅうの別称べっしょう。