防弾
bōdan[bo̞ːdã̠ɴ]
The English word "bulletproof" is translated into Japanese as 防弾 (bōdan).
防弾 is an adjective used to describe something that is capable of withstanding a bullet.
Meaning: capable of withstanding a bullet (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 防 (prevent/defend) and 弾 (bullet/projectile).
How do you pronounce it?
bōdan
Did you know?
- The global K-pop phenomenon BTS took their name from 防弾少年団 (bōdan shōnen dan), which means 'bulletproof boy scouts'.
- The kanji 弾 (dan) in 防弾 is the same character used for '弾丸' (dangan), meaning 'bullet', but it is also the root for words related to music, such as '弾く' (hiku) to play a stringed instrument.
- While the English word 'bulletproof' can metaphorically describe a person's skin or a plan, in Japanese, 防弾 is almost exclusively used for physical objects like glass or vests and is rarely used for abstract concepts.
Examples in context
- これは防弾ガラスです。This is bulletproof glass.This sentence is useful for identifying the phrase 防弾 in the context of glass.Tatoeba #11813992 by small_snow, translation #10062005 by ddnktr
- このジャケットは防弾です。This jacket is bulletproof.
- 防弾チョッキBulletproof vest
- このベストは防弾仕様になっています。Kono besuto wa bōdan shiyō ni natte imasu.This vest is designed to be bulletproof.
- 防弾性能が高い車です。Bōdan seinō ga takai kuruma desu.It is a car with high bulletproof capabilities.
Example conversation
Two people are looking at a security display at a museum.
- 健太 Kentaこのケースは防弾ですか？kono kēsu wa bōdan desu ka?Is this case bulletproof?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、とても丈夫な素材です。hai, totemo jōbu na sozai desu.Yes, it is made of very strong material.
- 健太 Kenta安心ですね。anshin desu ne.That's reassuring.
- 結衣 Yui健太さんは心配性ですね。kenta-san wa shinpaishō desu ne.Kenta, you are quite a worrier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bulletproof” translations and entries 防弾, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
