砲塔
hōtō
The Japanese word for turret is 砲塔 (hōtō).
This term specifically refers to a military turret, such as those found on tanks or warships, rather than a decorative architectural turret on a castle.
Meaning: a little tower (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the characters for 'gun/cannon' (砲) and 'tower' (塔).
How do you pronounce it?
hōtō
Did you know?
- In historical Japanese castle architecture, the 櫓 (yagura) was often designed to look like a warehouse from the outside to deceive enemies about its military purpose.
- The character 塔 (tō) used in 砲塔 is the same one used in 仏塔 (buttō), which refers to a Buddhist pagoda.
- In Japanese gaming culture, the term 'turret' is often transliterated into Katakana as タレット (toretto) rather than using the Kanji 砲塔, especially in sci-fi or fantasy settings.
Examples in context
- 私のおもちゃには可動式のタレットがあります。My toy has a movable turret.
- この城は美しい塔を持っています。This castle has beautiful turrets.
- 彼らは砲塔の修理に取り組んでいます。They are working on the repair of the turret.
- その戦艦の砲塔は巨大だ。Sono senkan no hōtō wa kyodai da.The turret of that battleship is huge.
- 砲塔がゆっくりと回転する。Hōtō ga yukkuri to kaiten suru.The turret rotates slowly.
- 彼は模型の砲塔を塗っている。Kare wa mokei no hōtō o nutte iru.He is painting the turret of a model.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are looking at a tank at a museum.
- 結衣 Yui見て、あの砲塔すごくかっこいいよ！Mite, ano hōtō sugoku kakkoii yo!Look, that turret is so cool!
- 陽太 Yota本当だね。あんなに大きい砲塔は初めて見たよ。Hontō da ne. Anna ni ookii hōtō wa hajimete mita yo.You're right. It's the first time I've seen such a large turret.
- 結衣 Yuiどうやって動かすのかな？Dō yatte ugokasu no kana?I wonder how they move it?
- 陽太 Yota説明パネルを読んでみようか。Setsumei paneru o yonde miyō ka.Shall we try reading the information panel?
