弾 薬(だんやく)

だんやく

noun

ammunition; ammo

1. ammunition; ammo; munitions

Projectiles, cartridges, shells, and other materials fired from weapons. Includes bullets, shells, grenades, and similar ordnance.

弾薬(だんやく)が尽(つ)きた。

The ammunition ran out.

弾薬(だんやく)を補給(ほきゅう)する必要(ひつよう)がある。

We need to resupply ammunition.

戦場(せんじょう)では弾薬(だんやく)の管理(かんり)が兵士(へいし)の生死(せいし)を左右(さゆう)する。

On the battlefield, ammunition management determines whether soldiers live or die.

Composed of 弾(だん) (bullet/projectile) + 薬(やく) (here meaning gunpowder/explosive charge, not medicine). Covers all types of ammunition including bullets, shells, and explosive ordnance.

Common collocations

弾薬(だんやく)を補給(ほきゅう)する: to resupply ammunition
弾薬(だんやく)が尽(つ)きる: to run out of ammunition
弾薬庫(だんやくこ): ammunition depot; magazine
弾薬(だんやく)の備蓄(びちく): ammunition stockpile
実弾(じつだん): live ammunition (as opposed to blanks)

Related words

武器(ぶき): weapon — the broader category
銃弾(じゅうだん): bullet (specifically for firearms)
砲弾(ほうだん): artillery shell
火薬(かやく): gunpowder; explosive — the propellant component

Usage

Appears in military, historical, and news contexts. In video games, 弾薬(だんやく) or the shorter 弾(たま) is commonly used for ammunition resources.

Related Words

Related: 武器(ぶき) (weapon)

Related: 砲弾(ほうだん) (artillery shell)

general

Added 2026.3.28 21:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

20000/20108_danyaku