attack

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 撃 has 15 strokes and the on-reading げき. 撃つ (うつ) means to shoot; 目撃 (もくげき) means witnessing something directly.
• Basic usage: 撃つ is used for firing a shot or shooting at a target. 目撃 concerns directly seeing an accident or a bird's movement.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Shooting and witnessing
  • The past form of 撃つ is 撃った. 合図の弾を撃った means firing a signal shot; 標的を撃つ means shooting at a target.
  • 事故を目撃した means witnessing an accident. 瞬間を目撃しました also describes seeing the moment a bird left its nest, so 目撃 is not limited to accidents.