中尉
chūi[t͡ɕɨːi]
The English phrase 'lieutenant' can be translated into Japanese using 中尉 (chūi). Wiktionary also lists 少尉 (shōi) and 海軍大尉 (kaiguntaii).
Meaning: lowest commissioned officer rank (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 中尉 | chūi | [t͡ɕɨːi] (narrow) |
| 少尉 | shōi | [ɕo̞ːi] (narrow) |
| 海軍大尉 | kaiguntaii |
The term 副官 is a formal way to say "lieutenant" in Japanese referring to a military officer serving as a lieutenant to a higher-ranking officer.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 中尉 literally means 'middle officer'.
Which one should you use?
While 中尉 refers to a first lieutenant, 少尉 is used for a second lieutenant. Additionally, 海軍大尉 is used.
How do you pronounce it?
chūi
Did you know?
- The Japanese military rank system was heavily influenced by the Prussian model during the Meiji era, which shaped how 中尉 and 少尉 are categorized.
- In the Japanese Imperial Navy, the rank of lieutenant was often referred to using the term 大尉, which translates to 'great officer' rather than a 'middle' or 'junior' officer.
- Japanese distinguishes between 'first' and 'second' lieutenants using 中 (middle) and 少 (junior), whereas English uses ordinal numbers.
Examples in context
- 彼は中尉です。Kare wa chuui desu.He is a lieutenant.
- その中尉は非常に優秀だ。Sono chuui wa hijou ni yuushuu da.That lieutenant is very excellent.
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are discussing a historical movie.
- 陽太 Yotaこの映画の主人公は中尉です。Kono eiga no shujinkō wa chūi desu.The protagonist of this movie is a lieutenant.
- 美咲 Misaki彼は厳しい上司に見えますね。Kare wa kibishii jōshi ni miemasu ne.He looks like a strict boss.
- 陽太 Yotaでも、部下には信頼されています。Demo, buka ni wa shinrai sarete imasu.But he is trusted by his subordinates.
- 美咲 Misakiいいリーダーの中尉なのですね。Ii rīdā no chūi nano desu ne.So he is a lieutenant who is a good leader.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lieutenant” translations and entries 中尉, 少尉, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
