大砲
taihō[ta̠iho̞ː]
The English word 'cannon' is translated into Japanese as 大砲 (taihō). Wiktionary also lists キャノン (kyanon) and カノン砲 (kanon hō).
Meaning: artillery piece (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 大砲 | taihō | [ta̠iho̞ː] (narrow) |
| キャノン | kyanon | [kʲa̠nõ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| カノン砲 | kanon hō | [ka̠no̞ɰ̃ ho̞ː] (narrow) |
The word refers to an artillery piece. Depending on the context, different terms may be used: 大筒 is a historical term associated with traditional Japanese cannons and 砲台 refers specifically to the fortified structure or platform on which a cannon is placed.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 大砲 is composed of 大, meaning big and 砲, meaning cannon or gun.
How do you pronounce it?
taihō
Did you know?
- Historically, Japanese craftsmen adapted the 大筒 by using traditional casting techniques from bell making to create cannons.
- In Japanese, the word カノン can refer to both a 'cannon' and a 'canon' in music, such as a round of melodies.
- The historical term 大筒 (ōtsutsu) uses a kanji that usually means 'tube' or 'cylinder', which reflects how early cannons were viewed as large metal pipes.
Examples in context
- 戦場には大砲が配置されていた。There were cannons placed on the battlefield.
- 軍事博物館には多くの火砲が展示されている。Many cannons are displayed in the military museum.
- あのキャラクターは大砲を使って攻撃する。That character attacks using a cannon.
- 城跡で多くの大筒が展示されている。Many cannons are displayed at the castle ruins.
- 博物館に古い大砲があります。Hakubutsukan ni furui taihou ga arimasu.There is an old cannon in the museum.
- 大きな大砲が並んでいます。Ookina taihou ga narande imasu.Large cannons are lined up.
- 彼は大砲の模型を作りました。Kare wa taihou no mokei o tsukurimashita.He made a model of a cannon.
Example conversation
At a historical museum, looking at an exhibit.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの大砲はとても大きいですね。Kono taihou wa totemo ookii desu ne.This cannon is very large, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki本当ですね、迫力があります。Hontou desu ne, hakuryoku ga arimasu.It really is, it's quite powerful.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんは歴史が好きですか？Misaki-san wa rekishi ga suki desu ka?Misaki, do you like history?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、大好きです。Hai, daisuki desu.Yes, I love it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cannon” translations and entries 大砲, キャノン, カノン砲, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
