How to Say "Shotgun" in Japanese

散弾銃

sandanjū[sã̠ndã̠ɲ̟d͡ʑɨː]

The Japanese word for shotgun is 散弾銃 (sandanjū).

Meaning: front seat next to driver (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

sandanjū

While 散弾銃 refers to the firearm, if you want to claim the front passenger seat in a car using the 'shotgun' rule, you cannot use this word. Japanese speakers instead use the phrase 助手席 (joshuseki), which literally means 'assistant seat'.
In Japanese, the word for 'shot' in 散弾銃 is written with the character 散, which also carries the meaning of 'scattering' or 'dispersing'.
In the context of Japanese hunting, a shotgun is often associated with the traditional 'boar hunting' culture of rural villages rather than sport shooting.

彼は散弾銃を手にして乗り込んで来た。
He got in with a shotgun in his hands.
This sentence shows how to use 散弾銃 when describing someone entering a vehicle or area while holding the weapon.
Tatoeba #1179636 by thyc244, translation #1179016 by CK

Two people are discussing hunting gear at home.

美咲 Misaki

陽太、散弾銃はどこにある？
Yōta, san-dan-jū wa doko ni aru?
Yota, where is the shotgun?
陽太 Yota

棚の中にしまってあるよ。
Tana no naka ni shimatte aru yo.
It is put away in the shelf.
美咲 Misaki

準備して外に行こう。
Junbi shite soto ni ikō.
Let's get ready and go outside.
陽太 Yota

わかった。すぐに行くよ。
Wakatta. Sugu ni iku yo.
Got it. I'll be there soon.

Sources

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