爆 弾(ばくだん)

ばくだん

noun

bomb

1. bomb; explosive device

A weapon designed to explode and cause damage. Can refer to various types of explosive devices.

爆弾(ばくだん)が爆発(ばくはつ)した。

A bomb exploded.

不発弾(ふはつだん)の爆弾(ばくだん)が見(み)つかった。

An unexploded bomb was found.

2. bombshell; shocking revelation

Figuratively, something shocking or sensational, especially news or information.

彼(かれ)の発言(はつげん)は爆弾(ばくだん)発言(はつげん)だった。

His statement was a bombshell.

An explosive device, or figuratively, something shocking or sensational.

Common collocations

爆弾(ばくだん)を落(お)とす: to drop a bomb
爆弾(ばくだん)を仕掛(しか)ける: to plant a bomb
爆弾(ばくだん)が爆発(ばくはつ)する: a bomb explodes
不発弾(ふはつだん): unexploded bomb/dud

Types

時限(じげん)爆弾(ばくだん): time bomb
原子(げんし)爆弾(ばくだん): atomic bomb (often shortened to 原爆(げんばく))
水素(すいそ)爆弾(ばくだん): hydrogen bomb (often shortened to 水爆(すいばく))

Usage

爆弾(ばくだん)発言(はつげん): bombshell statement
爆弾(ばくだん)を落(お)とす: to drop a bombshell (figurative)

The figurative usage is common in news and everyday speech to describe shocking revelations.

Related Words

Related: 爆発(ばくはつ) (explosion)

Related: 原爆(げんばく) (atomic bomb)

Compare: 手榴弾(しゅりゅうだん) (hand grenade)

Compare: 爆発物(ばくはつぶつ) (explosives)

general

Added 2026.2.5 17:37 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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