その猟銃は鳥をねらって撃ったが当たらなかった。

that (something or someone distant from the speaker, close to the listener; actions of the listener, or ideas expressed or understood by the listener); the; um...; er...; uh...

hunting gun; sportsgun

topic marker particle; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis

bird; bird meat (esp. chicken meat); fowl; poultry

indicates direct object of action; indicates subject of causative expression; indicates an area traversed; indicates time (period) over which action takes place; indicates point of departure or separation of action; indicates object of desire, like, hate, etc.

to aim at

to shoot (at); to attack; to defeat; to destroy; to avenge

indicates sentence subject (occasionally object); indicates possessive (esp. in literary expressions); but; however; still; and

to be hit; to strike; to touch; to be in contact; to be affixed; to be equivalent to; to be applicable; to apply to; to be right on the money (of a prediction, criticism, etc.); to be selected (in a lottery, etc.); to win; to be successful; to go well; to be a hit; to face; to confront; to lie (in the direction of); to undertake; to be assigned; to be stricken (by food poisoning, heat, etc.); to be afflicted; to be called upon (by the teacher); to treat (esp. harshly); to lash out at; to be unnecessary; to be hitting well; to be on a hitting streak; (in fishing) to feel a bite; (of fruit, etc.) to be bruised; to spoil; to feel (something) out; to probe into; to check (i.e. by comparison); to shave; to be a relative of a person; to stand in a relationship