铳 (chòng) - Blunderbuss & ancient firearm

铳Tone 4

chòng ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

铳 · chòng

Blunderbuss;

ancient firearm;

gun;

cannon;

used historically for firearms and in modern contexts for certain types of guns.

Blunderbussancient firearmgun

Usage highlights

blunderbusshunting riflesignal gunancient firearmrifle bulletgunshot

Synonyms

  • 枪— gun; rifle (more common modern term)
  • 炮— cannon; artillery
  • 火器— firearm; fire weapon

Antonyms

  • 弓— bow (traditional weapon)
  • 剑— sword (melee weapon)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The museum displayed an ancient blunderbuss (老铳).
  • He loaded the hunting rifle (猎铳).
  • Police confiscated an illegal firearm (非法火铳).
  • This is a signal gun (信号铳).

Collocations

  • blunderbuss(火铳)
  • hunting rifle(猎铳)
  • signal gun(信号铳)
  • ancient firearm(古铳)
  • rifle bullet(铳弹)
  • gunshot(铳声)

Idioms

  • To talk big but lack real ability(银样镴枪头 - though not directly using 铳, related to ineffective weapons)
  • To be at daggers drawn(剑拔弩张 - though using crossbow rather than firearm)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to early firearms introduced to China, particularly during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
  • Represents early gunpowder technology and military innovation in Chinese history.
  • In modern usage, often appears in historical contexts or specific technical terms for certain types of guns.

FAQ