撃つ
utsu[ɯ̟t͡sɨ]
To shoot (to fire a shot) in Japanese is 撃つ (utsu).
撃つ is used specifically for the act of firing weapons or projectiles. In certain contexts, you may see the form 撃つぞ, where adding the particle ぞ creates a forceful, masculine warning or declaration, such as "I'll shoot!"
Meaning: to fire a shot (verb)
Which one should you use?
Use 撃つ when referring to firearms or projectiles. If you mean "shooting" in the context of a photography session, you should use the related noun 撮影 or the verb 撮る instead.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 撃つ can be conjugated into several forms: the negative form is 撃たない (do not shoot), the past tense is 撃った (shot) and the polite continuous form is 撃っています (is shooting).
How do you pronounce it?
utsu
Did you know?
- The verb 撃つ can be used metaphorically in the phrase 心を撃つ, which means to 'shoot' or strike someone's heart with deep emotion. This is similar to the English 'piercing' a heart, but uses the specific verb for firing a weapon.
- While 撃つ is for weapons, Japanese uses a different verb 打つ for 'shooting' a ball in sports like baseball or tennis. Although they sound the same and are both read as 'utsu', they use different kanji characters.
- There is a distinct difference between 撃つ (to shoot a projectile) and 射る (to shoot an arrow). While both involve firing a weapon, 射る is reserved specifically for archery.
Examples in context
- 動くな撃つぞ。Don't move, or I'll shoot you.This sentence shows how to use 撃つ in a warning.Tatoeba #123788 by small_snow, translation #280207 by CK
- 待て、撃つな！Wait, don't shoot!This sentence shows how to use the negative form of 撃つ to command someone not to shoot.Tatoeba #1046081 by bunbuku, translation #574212 by CM
- 武器を捨てないと撃つぞ。Drop your weapon or I'll shoot.This sentence shows how to use 撃つ as a threat regarding dropping a weapon.Tatoeba #11465101 by bunbuku, translation #3728703 by CM
- 「写真を撮影する」To take a photograph
- 「映画を撮影する」To shoot a film
- 「写真を撮る」To take a picture
- 「動画を撮る」To shoot a video
- 「写真をパシャる」To take a snapshot
- 「申し訳ありませんが、写真を撮影してもよろしいでしょうか？」Excuse me, but would it be all right if I took a photo?
- 「お手数ですが、シャッターを押していただけませんか？」I'm sorry to bother you, but could you press the shutter, please?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A young man and woman are playing a shooting game at an arcade.
- 美咲 Misaki敵を撃つよ！Teki o utsu yo!I'm going to shoot the enemy!
- 健太 Kenta待って、健太が撃つ！Matte, Kenta ga utsu!Wait, Kenta is going to shoot!
- 美咲 Misaki早すぎるよ。Hayasugiru yo.That was too fast.
- 健太 Kenta次はもっとうまく撃つ。Tsugi wa motto umaku utsu.Next time I will shoot better.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shoot” translations and entries 撃つ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
