Readings: ゲキ (Onyomi), う.つ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: hit, strike, attack, defeat, repulse
The kanji 撃 combines 𢾸 (geki, meaning “strike” or “attack”) and 攴/攵 (boku/hoko, meaning “to strike with a stick” or “weapon”). Together, they form the meaning of striking, attacking, or hitting forcefully.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 撃 is composed of 15 strokes. It begins with the left part, 𢾸, which looks like a stylized hand and a weapon. This part is written first, typically starting with the top horizontal stroke, then the vertical, followed by other complex strokes. The right side is the radical 殳, starting with the horizontal stroke, then the diagonal, and finally the hook.
Kanji Details
Radical | 殳 (ほこづくり / るまた) |
---|---|
Strokes | 15 |
JLPT Level | N1 |
Grade | S (Jouyou Kanji) |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ゲキ (Geki)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- う.つ (u.tsu)
Common Words Using 撃
Onyomi Readings
Word | Reading | Meaning |
---|---|---|
攻撃 | こうげき | attack, assault |
打撃 | だげき | blow, shock, strike |
爆撃 | ばくげき | bombing, bombardment |
銃撃 | じゅうげき | shooting, gunfire |
迎撃 | げいげき | interception |
強撃 | きょうげき | strong attack |
猛撃 | もうげき | fierce attack |
撃退 | げきたい | repel, repulse, drive back |
撃破 | げきは | defeat, smash |
狙撃 | そげき | sniping, shooting (target) |
Kunyomi Readings
Word | Reading | Meaning |
---|---|---|
撃つ | うつ | to shoot, to strike, to attack |
撃ち落とす | うちおとす | to shoot down, to knock down |
撃ち合う | うちあう | to shoot at each other, to exchange fire |
撃ち殺す | うちころす | to shoot to death |
撃ち抜く | うちぬく | to shoot through |
撃ちまくる | うちまくる | to shoot repeatedly/indiscriminately |
撃ち出す | うちだす | to fire (a gun), to shoot out |
撃ち返す | うちかえす | to shoot back, to counterattack |
撃ち止める | うちとめる | to shoot and stop |
撃ち破る | うちやぶる | to shoot through and break |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 敵を攻撃する。
Kana: てきをこうげきする。
Romaji: Teki o kougeki suru.
English: To attack the enemy.
Japanese: そのニュースは彼に大きな打撃を与えた。
Kana: そのニュースはかれにおおきなだげきをあたえた。
Romaji: Sono nyuusu wa kare ni ookina dageki o ataeta.
English: That news dealt him a big blow.
Japanese: 戦闘機が敵基地を爆撃した。
Kana: せんとうきがてききちをばくげきした。
Romaji: Sentouki ga teki kichi o bakugeki shita.
English: The fighter jet bombed the enemy base.
Japanese: 警官は容疑者を銃撃した。
Kana: けいかんはようぎしゃをじゅうげきした。
Romaji: Keikan wa yougisha o juugeki shita.
English: The police officer shot the suspect.
Japanese: ミサイルを迎撃するシステム。
Kana: ミサイルをげいげきするシステム。
Romaji: Misairu o geigeki suru shisutemu.
English: A system to intercept missiles.
Japanese: 彼はライフルで鹿を撃った。
Kana: かれはライフルでしかをうった。
Romaji: Kare wa raifuru de shika o utta.
English: He shot a deer with a rifle.
Japanese: 彼らの攻撃を撃退した。
Kana: かれらのこうげきをげきたいした。
Romaji: Karera no kougeki o gekitai shita.
English: We repelled their attack.
Japanese: 敵の部隊を撃破した。
Kana: てきのぶたいをげきはした。
Romaji: Teki no butai o gekiha shita.
English: We defeated the enemy forces.
Japanese: その鳥を撃ち落とすのは難しい。
Kana: そのとりをうちおとすのはむずかしい。
Romaji: Sono tori o uchiotosu no wa muzukashii.
English: It’s difficult to shoot down that bird.
Japanese: 彼らは互いに撃ち合った。
Kana: かれらはたがいにうちあった。
Romaji: Karera wa tagai ni uchiatta.
English: They shot at each other.
Related Grammar & kanji list
Expand your study with grammar and kanji lists for other JLPT levels:

I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.