砲火|ほうかhouka[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noungunfire; fire
   敵てきは我々われわれの砲火ほうかに応酬おうしゅうした。↗

   The enemy answered our fire.

• Synonym砲撃ほうげきNeutralBombarding a target with cannons, as in 「艦砲射撃」. It stresses the act of attack, while 「砲火」 stresses the flash and firepower from the guns.
• Related射撃しゃげきNeutralShooting or firing; also refers to the sport of shooting. Its scope is broad, covering both guns and cannons.
• Related銃火じゅうかNeutralThe flash from gun muzzles and attacks with guns. The weapon is a gun, not a cannon.
• Related銃撃じゅうげきNeutralShooting with guns, as in 「銃撃事件」; it stresses an attack with firearms.
• Related発砲はっぽうNeutralDischarging a gun or cannon, as in 「警官が発砲」. It stresses the act of opening fire itself.
• Related爆撃ばくげきNeutralDropping bombs from aircraft to attack a target. The attack comes from the air, not from cannons.
• Related発射はっしゃNeutralLaunching bullets, rockets, missiles and the like. Its objects are broad, not limited to weapon fire.
• Related撃ち方うちかたNeutralThe method or technique of firing a gun or cannon, as in 「銃の撃ち方」. In the military it is also the command to open fire, 「撃ち方始め」.

Use 「砲火」 for the flash and firepower of cannon fire, as in 「砲火を交える」 and 「集中砲火」. For bombardment say 「砲撃」, for a gun attack 「銃撃」, for an air raid 「爆撃」, and for the act of opening fire 「発砲」.

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

1. 大砲たいほうから砲弾ほうだんを発射はっしゃする際さいに出でる火ひ。
2. 砲撃ほうげき。砲弾ほうだん。