导弹 dǎodàn missile
(guided) missile
How to remember 导弹: 导 guide + 弹 bullet = missile.
Characters
How it is used
- A guided missile - 弹道导弹 (dàndào dǎodàn) ballistic missile; 发射导弹 (fāshè dǎodàn) launch a missile.
- The 导 (guided) distinguishes it from an unguided 炮弹 (pàodàn, shell) or 子弹 (zǐdàn, bullet).
- Note 弹 reads dàn here (projectile), not tán (to pluck/bounce); measure word 枚 (méi).