Meaning of 子弹
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- bullet
Measure word: 粒,顆|颗,發|发
How to use 子弹
子弹 is the everyday word for a bullet, and its measure word is usually 颗 (kē) or 发 (fā). It also appears in fixed expressions such as 子弹头 (zǐdàntóu) for a bullet tip. Example: 他的枪里只剩一颗子弹。 (Tā de qiāng lǐ zhǐ shèng yì kē zǐdàn.) There is only one bullet left in his gun.
子 (zǐ) can mean a small seed or pellet, and 弹 (dàn) means something shot out, like a ball from a bow (弓 is on its left side). A small thing shot out of a weapon is a bullet.
Common mistake: Learners often read 子 here with a neutral tone, as in 桌子 (zhuōzi) or 孩子 (háizi). In 子弹 it keeps its full third tone: zǐdàn. Also, 弹 here is dàn, not tán, which is the reading for 'to play an instrument' as in 弹钢琴 (tán gāngqín).
子弹 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
子 zi · noun suffix · 3 strokes
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弹 tán · to pluck · 11 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 子弹.
Questions about 子弹
What does 子弹 mean?
子弹 (zǐdàn) means "bullet" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 子弹?
子弹 is made of 2 characters: 子 (3 strokes), 弹 (11 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 子弹 an HSK word?
Yes. 子弹 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 子弹 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 子弹 is written 子彈.
Why is 弹 pronounced dàn in 子弹 but tán in other words?
弹 has two readings. As a noun meaning a projectile or shell, it is dàn, as in 子弹 and 炸弹 (zhàdàn, bomb). As a verb meaning to pluck, bounce, or flick, it is tán, as in 弹琴 (tánqín).
What is the difference between 子弹 and 炮弹?
子弹 (zǐdàn) is a bullet fired from a gun such as a pistol or rifle. 炮弹 (pàodàn) is an artillery shell fired from a cannon. Both use 弹 (dàn) for the thing that is fired.