炸弹
zhàdàn
The English word "bomb" translates to Chinese as 炸弹 (zhàdàn).
炸弹 is a noun referring to a device filled with explosives. If you are referring to explosives in a general sense, you might use the more formal term 爆炸品.
Meaning: device filled with explosives (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 炸弹 is composed of 炸, meaning to explode or fry and 弹, meaning a projectile or bullet.
Which one should you use?
While 炸弹 is the noun used for the physical device, the verb 轰炸 is used to describe the act of bombing or heavy bombardment. Other related verbs for attacking with explosives include 炮擊 and 轰击.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
炸弹 is a classifier-friendly noun. It is often used with the measure word 个 or the more formal/technical measure word 枚.
How do you pronounce it?
zhàdàn
Did you know?
- The character 炸 is used not only for bombs but also for deep-frying food, such as 炸鸡 for 'fried chicken'. Both meanings share the core concept of something 'bursting' or 'splattering' in hot oil or heat.
- The word 弹 is also used to describe a 'spring' (the mechanical coil), as both a bullet and a spring possess the quality of 'bouncing' or 'rebounding'.
- While English speakers might use 'the bomb' to mean something is excellent, using 炸弹 as slang in Chinese would not mean 'great' and could be misunderstood.
Examples in context
- 安炸弹的人还没抓到。The person who planted the bomb hasn't been caught.This sentence is useful for discussing the person who planted the 炸弹.Tatoeba #14057671 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #4662961 by CK
- 他们没有找到炸弹。They didn't find the bomb.This sentence is useful for stating that they did not find the 炸弹.Tatoeba #9453430 by BobbyLee, translation #2276872 by CK
- 飞机向城市投下了炸弹。The plane dropped the bomb over the city.This sentence is useful for describing how a plane dropped a 炸弹.Tatoeba #461528 by fucongcong, translation #6751072 by swolesuki
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A police officer is briefing two investigators about a crime scene.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那个炸弹是什么时候放的？Nàge zhàdàn shì shénme shíhou fàng de?When was that bomb placed?
- 俊杰 Junjie我们还不确定。Wǒmen hái bù quèdìng.We are not sure yet.
- 佳怡 Jiayi俊杰，你必须小心。Jùnjié, nǐ bìxū xiǎoxīn.Junjie, you must be careful.
- 俊杰 Junjie我知道，我会注意的。Wǒ zhīdào, wǒ huì zhùyì de.I know, I will be careful.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
