Japanese word

ミサイル

Pronunciation

Romajimisairu

Meaning

  • nounmissile

Example

ニュースでミサイルの話を聞きました。nyū su de mi sa i ru no hanashi o ki ki ma shi ta

I heard about a missile on the news.

Illustration for ミサイル (missile)

More examples

専門家がミサイルの危険性を説明しました。sen mon ka ga mi sa i ru no ki ken sei o setsu mei shi ma shi ta

The expert explained the dangers of missiles.

Core concept

A missile is a weapon sent toward a target with enough control to guide its flight.

Common phrases

  • ミサイルを発射するmi sa i ru o has sha su ru

    launch a missile

  • ミサイルを迎撃するmi sa i ru o gei geki su ru

    intercept a missile

Similar words

誘導弾yūdōdan: A weapon directed in flight toward a selected target.
ロケットroketto: A vehicle or projectile driven by a rocket engine, not necessarily directed at a target.

Definition in Japanese

目標に向けて誘導しながら飛ばす兵器。moku hyō ni mu ke te yū dō shi na ga ra to ba su hei ki

Word origin

ミサイル (misairu) is borrowed from English missile, which comes from Latin missilis, meaning "sendable" or "that can be thrown," from mittere, "to send."

Usage tips

  • In English, missile usually suggests a weapon aimed at a target, while rocket can also mean a vehicle or an engine.

Word lists with this word