機関銃

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 機関銃 is read as きかんじゅう and is a noun for a machine gun, a firearm designed for continuous fire.
• Basic usage: A museum display appears in 古い機関銃, while putting the weapon down appears in 機関銃を置く.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A specific weapon category
  • It does not mean firearms in general but identifies the particular category of machine gun.
• Difference from 銃
  • 銃 is the broad word for a gun or firearm, whereas 機関銃 specifically denotes a machine gun.