bullet / play (instrument)
N1- Onyomi
- ダン
- Kunyomi
- ひ(く)・たま
- Stroke count
- 12
- JLPT
- N1
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 弾 down and you get 弓 (bow / arc) — a bow bent and ready to spring back, and beside it 単 (single / simple) — one lantern hung from a tall pole, standing by itself. Picture a bow drawn and aimed straight ahead, put 弾 inside it, and let that scene stand for "bullet" — bullet / play (instrument). The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 12
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は12画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 12 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
糾弾
kyuudan
denunciation
弾劾
dangai
impeachment
弾圧
dan'atsu
crackdown
糾弾する
kyuudansuru
to do denunciation
弾劾する
dangaisuru
to do impeachment
弾圧する
dan'atsusuru
to do crackdown
Example sentences (6)
議会で大臣が糾弾されました。
ぎかい で だいじん が きゅうだん されました。
gikai de daijin ga kyuudan saremashita.
The minister was denounced in the assembly.
一方的な糾弾に終始するのではなく、原因の究明が求められます。
いっぽうてき な きゅうだん に しゅうし する の で は なく、げんいん の きゅうめい が もとめられます。
ippouteki na kyuudan ni shuushi suru no de wa naku, gen'in no kyuumei ga motomeraremasu.
Rather than ending in one-sided denunciation, what is needed is to get to the root cause.
大統領の弾劾が議論されました。
だいとうりょう の だんがい が ぎろん されました。
daitouryou no dangai ga giron saremashita.
The president's impeachment was debated.
弾劾の手続きは憲法に基づき、厳格に定められています。
だんがい の てつづき は けんぽう に もとづき、げんかく に さだめられています。
dangai no tetsuzuki wa kenpou ni motozuki, genkaku ni sadamerareteimasu.
Impeachment procedures are laid down strictly in accordance with the constitution.
報道の自由への弾圧が批判されました。
ほうどう の じゆう へ の だんあつ が ひはん されました。
houdou no jiyuu e no dan'atsu ga hihan saremashita.
The crackdown on press freedom was criticized.
報道への弾圧が続く状況は、看過できるものではありません。
ほうどう へ の だんあつ が つづく じょうきょう は、かんか できる もの で は ありません。
houdou e no dan'atsu ga tsuzuku joukyou wa, kanka dekiru mono de wa arimasen.
A situation in which the crackdown on the press continues is not something that can be overlooked.