Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 侵略 | shinryaku | [ɕĩn̺ɾʲa̠kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 侵攻 | shinkō | |
| 侵入 | shinnyū | [ɕĩɲ̟ːɨː] (narrow) |
The term 侵略 is a formal word for an invasion or takeover carried out by a foreign entity. It can be used in phrases such as 侵略戦争 (invasion war) or 侵略的行為 (aggressive behavior).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 侵略 is composed of the characters for 'encroach/invade' (侵) and 'conquer/take over' (略).
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the specific nature of the invasion. 侵略 describes an invasion with the intent of seizing territory or resources and often carries a strong connotation of illegal aggression. In contrast, 侵攻 focuses on the physical movement of troops into a territory, often used in news reports to describe the act of advancing into enemy lines. Finally, 侵入 is used for smaller-scale intrusions, such as a person breaking into a building or a virus entering a system, rather than a large-scale military campaign.
How do you pronounce it?
shinryaku
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, the word 侵略 is often used playfully in 'alien invasion' tropes, contrasting its heavy political weight in real history.
- A person 'invading' someone's privacy is not described as 侵略的, but rather uses the word 侵害 instead.
- The character 略 in 侵略 was originally written as 掠, which specifically meant 'to plunder' or 'to rob'.
Examples in context
- それはまさに侵略行為だ。It is nothing less than an invasion.This sentence is useful for highlighting a specific act of invasion using 侵略.Tatoeba #205388 by small_snow, translation #42632 by orcrist
- それは侵攻である。It is an invasion.This sentence is useful for describing an invasion using 侵攻.Tatoeba #11112694 by Johannes_S, translation #7948104 by AlanF_US
- 台湾は中国の侵攻に備えている。Taiwan is preparing itself for a Chinese invasion.Tatoeba #11145048 by Johannes_S, translation #10930312 by Amastan
- 見知らぬ侵入者が城に入ってきました。Unknown invaders have entered the castle.
- その国は隣国に侵略されました。The country was invaded by its neighboring nation.
- 誰かが私の家に侵入したみたい。It seems like someone invaded my house.
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are discussing a history book.
- 美咲 Misakiこの本は過去の侵略について書いてあるよ。Kono hon wa kako no shinryaku ni tsuite kaite aru yo.This book is about past invasions.
- 大翔 Hirotoどの国の侵略について書いてあるの？Dono kuni no shinryaku ni tsuite kaite aru no?Which country's invasion is it about?
- 美咲 Misakiヨーロッパのいくつかの国についてだよ。Yōroppa no ikutsu ka no kuni ni tsuite dayo.It's about several countries in Europe.
- 大翔 Hiroto歴史は本当に複雑だね。Rekishi wa hontō ni fukuzatsu dane.History is really complex, isn't it?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “invasion” translations and entries 侵略, 侵攻, 侵入, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 侵略, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
