伍長
gochō[ɡo̞t͡ɕo̞ː]
The Japanese word for lance corporal is 伍長 (gochō).
伍長 is a noun used to refer to the military rank of lance corporal.
Meaning: lance corporal (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
gochō
Did you know?
- While 伍長 translates to 'lance corporal', the rank does not exist in the modern Japan Self-Defense Forces, which uses a different system of titles.
- The word 伍 refers to a group of five people. In ancient Chinese and Japanese military systems, a 'five-man squad' was the fundamental building block of the army.
- In Japanese military culture, ranks like 伍長 were often addressed with the suffix 殿 'dono' in formal written documents to show respect.
Examples in context
- 彼は伍長です。kare wa gochou desu.He is a lance corporal.
- 新しい伍長が来ました。atarashii gochou ga kimashita.A new lance corporal has arrived.
- 伍長に報告してください。gochou ni houkoku shite kudasai.Please report to the lance corporal.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are discussing a character in a movie.
- 健太 Kentaあのキャラクターは伍長なの？ano kyarakutaa wa gochou na no?Is that character a lance corporal?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、伍長だよ。un, gochou da yo.Yes, she is a lance corporal.
- 健太 Kentaかっこいいね。kakkoii ne.That's cool.
- 結衣 Yui本当にそう思う。hontou ni sou omou.I really think so too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 伍長, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 伍長, CC BY-SA 4.0.
