Japanese word

砲

Pronunciation

Romajihō

Meaning

  • nouncannon

Example

博物館に古い砲があります。haku butsu kan ni furu i hō ga a ri ma su

There is an old cannon in the museum.

Illustration for 砲 (cannon)

More examples

この砲は当時の技術をよく伝えています。ko no hō wa tō ji no gi jutsu o yo ku tsuta e te i ma su

This cannon clearly shows the technology of its time.

Core concept

It names a large gun whose defining function is to propel a projectile over a long distance by explosive force.

Common phrases

  • 砲を発射するhō o has sha su ru

    fire a cannon

  • 砲を運ぶhō o hako bu

    move a cannon

  • 砲を設置するhō o set chi su ru

    install a cannon

Similar words

大砲taihō: A common term for a large gun that fires projectiles over a long distance.

Definition in Japanese

火薬を用いて砲弾を遠方へ撃ち出す兵器。ka yaku o mochi i te hō dan o en pō e u chi da su hei ki

Word origin

As a Sino-Japanese term, 砲 (hō, "cannon") is tied to the character 砲, in which 石 (seki, "stone") indicates the meaning and 包 (hō, "wrap") indicates the pronunciation.

Usage tips

  • The English word cannon also names a billiards shot, but 砲 (hō) refers to a weapon, so its military context remains clear in Japanese.

Other meanings

  • artillerynoun
  • gunnoun

Word lists with this word