原子爆弾
genshi bakudan[ɡẽ̞ɰ̃ɕi ba̠kɯ̟dã̠ɴ]
The English phrase "atomic bomb" is translated into Japanese as 原子爆弾 (genshi bakudan).
原子爆弾 refers to a powerful weapon that uses nuclear fission to create a massive explosion. When specifically discussing the historical event of the bombs being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the noun phrase 原爆投下 is frequently used to mean the dropping of the atomic bomb.
Which one should you use?
原子爆弾 is the full term for atomic bomb, while 原爆 is an abbreviated form. Additionally, 核爆弾 is the specific translation for "nuclear bomb".
How do you pronounce it?
genshi bakudan
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word 原子 ('atom') literally translates to 'original seed'. This reflects an early linguistic interpretation of the atom as the most basic building block of matter.
- While the term 原子爆弾 refers to the device, the word for the disaster itself often shifts to 被爆 (hibaku), which specifically means 'being exposed to the bomb'.
- The word 爆弾 ('bomb') uses the character 弾, which originally meant 'bullet' or 'sling-stone'. This connects the modern concept of an explosion to ancient projectile weapons.
Examples in context
- 科学が原子爆弾を生み出した。Science produced the atomic bomb.This sentence shows the use of 原子爆弾.Tatoeba #186890 by bunbuku, translation #24027 by CK
- アメリカ軍用機エノラ・ゲイから「リトルボーイ」と名付けられた原子爆弾が投下された午前８時１５分、広島平和記念公園では数少ない参列者たちが黙祷を捧げました。The small crowd at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park stood for a moment of silence at 8:15 a.m., the exact moment an atomic bomb nicknamed “Little Boy” was dropped from the U.S. warplane Enola Gay.Tatoeba #8962557 by small_snow, translation #8962326 by Hybrid
- 最初の原子爆弾は日本に落とされた。The first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan.Tatoeba #170459 by mookeee, translation #244024 by U2FS
- 学校で原子爆弾について研究しています。I am researching about atomic bombs at school.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a history documentary at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui原子爆弾の恐ろしさを考えさせられる映画だったね。genshibakudan no osoroshisa o kangaesaserareru eiga datta ne.It was a movie that made me think about the horror of the atomic bomb.
- 蓮 Ren本当にそうだね。二度と使われてはいけないよ。hontou ni sou da ne. nidoto tsukawarete wa ikenai yo.Truly. It should never be used again.
- 結衣 Yui平和について深く考えるきっかけになったよ。heiwa ni tsuite fukaku kangaeru kikkake ni natta yo.It gave me a chance to think deeply about peace.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さんの言う通りだと思う。Yui-san no iu toori da to omou.I think you are exactly right, Yui.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 原子爆弾, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
