核兵器
kakuheiki
The English verb 'nuke' (to use a nuclear weapon) can be expressed in Japanese as 核兵器 (kakuheiki).
Meaning: (colloquial) to use a nuclear weapon on a target (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 核兵器 refers to nuclear weapons generally, 原子爆弾 is a specific term for an atomic bomb. Additionally, 原爆 is an informal way to refer specifically to the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
How do you pronounce it?
kakuheiki
Did you know?
- Japanese news reports often use the term 核の傘, meaning 'nuclear umbrella', to describe the security protection provided by the United States.
- The word 核 (kaku) used in this phrase originally referred to a fruit stone or a kernel, much like the English word 'nucleus'.
- While English speakers use 'nuke' as a common verb, using a verb form of 核兵器 in Japanese to mean 'to nuke' would sound extremely unnatural and jarring to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- 日本の歴史の中で、原子爆弾はとても重要な出来事ですよね。In Japan's history, atomic bombs were very significant events, right?
- はい、確かに。原爆の被害は計り知れません。Yes, absolutely. The damage from the atomic bomb was immeasurable.
- 核兵器とは何ですか？What is a nuclear weapon?
- 核兵器は恐ろしい破壊力を持つ兵器です。A nuclear weapon is a weapon with tremendous destructive power.
- 核兵器を使う。kakuheiki o tsukau.To use a nuclear weapon.
- その国に核兵器を使うつもりか。sono kuni ni kakuheiki o tsukau tsumori ka.Do you intend to nuke that country?
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a movie about a war.
- 陽葵 Himari最後、敵の拠点を核兵器で攻撃したね。Saigo, teki no kyoten o kakuheiki de kougeki shita ne.In the end, they nuked the enemy base, didn't they?
- 陽太 Yotaああ、本当にひどい結末だったよ。Aa, hontou ni hidoi ketsumatsu datta yo.Yeah, it was a truly terrible ending.
- 陽葵 Himari核兵器を使うなんて、恐ろしすぎる。Kakuheiki o tsukau nante, osoroshi sugiru.Nuking something is just too terrifying.
- 陽太 Yota本当に、絶対にあってはならないことだ。Hontou ni, zettai ni atte wa naranai koto da.Truly, it is something that must never happen.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 核兵器, CC BY-SA 4.0.
