射る

• Reading: いる
• Romaji: iru
• Kanji breakdown: 射 (sha/i) — to shoot, to fire, to radiate
• Pronunciation: /i.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To shoot (an arrow); to fire (a bow). Specifically refers to releasing arrows or projectiles from a bow.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb conjugated by dropping る (射て, 射た, 射ます). Primarily associated with archery: 弓を射る (to shoot a bow), 矢を射る (to shoot an arrow). Also used figuratively: 的を射る (to hit the mark — to be exactly right). Related to the traditional martial art of 弓道 (kyuudou — Japanese archery).

Examples

1. 弓道の授業で矢を射ました。 I shot arrows in archery class.
2. 的に向かって射てください。 Please aim at the target and shoot.
3. 彼の意見は的を射ている。 His opinion is right on the mark.

Usage Guide

Context: martial arts, archery, figurative speech

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 射 combines 身 (body) with 寸 (measure/inch), originally depicting a person drawing a bow with proper form and aiming at a measured distance.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal