軍
gun
The Japanese word for military is 軍 (gun).
軍 is used as a noun to mean 'the military' or 'an army'. It is also commonly used as a suffix to specify different branches of the armed forces, such as 海軍 (navy) or 空軍 (air force).
Meaning: (North America) relating to armed forces such as the army, marines, navy and air force (adj)
Which one should you use?
In English, 'military' is more commonly used as an adjective, whereas in Japanese, 軍 can function as a standalone noun meaning 'the military' or 'an army'. When you need to form compound words meaning 'military-related' or 'military affairs', the term 軍事 is used instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term 軍事 is used to form compound words meaning 'military-related' or 'military affairs'.
How do you pronounce it?
gun
Did you know?
- The term 軍 is used in the phrase 軍配 (gunbai), referring to the war fan used by generals. Today, 軍配を上げる is an idiom meaning 'to admit defeat' or 'to give the win to someone else'.
- The character 軍 is used in the names of many professional sports teams in Japan, such as in the term 軍団 meaning 'army' or 'troop'. This gives a sense of collective strength and unity to the team.
- Because the word 軍 is so strongly associated with organized combat, it is almost never used in Japanese to describe a 'military-style' outfit or fashion, which would instead use the loanword 'military' in katakana.
Examples in context
- その敷地は軍事上の目的で利用されている。The site is used for military purposes.This sentence shows how to express that a site is used for military purposes using 軍.Tatoeba #207010 by tommy__san, translation #44260 by CK
- ミャンマーは軍事独裁政権に支配されている。Myanmar is ruled by a military dictatorship.This sentence illustrates the use of 軍 in the context of a military dictatorship.Tatoeba #3052785 by tommy_san, translation #551384 by darinmex
- 家から遠くないところにあるのは軍の病院です。Not far from the house was a military hospital.This sentence provides an example of how to refer to a military hospital using 軍.Tatoeba #2205072 by bunbuku, translation #807594 by Source_VOA
- 戦後、日本の陸軍は自衛隊に生まれ変わった。After the war, Japan's army was reborn as the Self-Defense Forces.
- 昔、日本の海軍は世界で強力な存在だった。In the past, Japan's navy was a powerful presence in the world.
- 日本の自衛隊は平和を守るために存在する。The Japan Self-Defense Forces exist to protect peace.
- 彼は軍事に興味があります。He is interested in the military.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their career goals.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮は将来、軍に入りたいの？Ren wa shourai, gun ni hairitai no?Ren, do you want to join the military in the future?
- 蓮 Renうん、軍の訓練を受けてみたいんだ。Un, gun no kunren o ukete mitai nda.Yeah, I want to try military training.
- 陽葵 Himariそれは大変そうだけど、かっこいいよね。Sore wa taihen sou dakedo, kakkoii yo ne.That sounds tough, but it's cool.
- 蓮 Renありがとう。一生懸命頑張るよ。Arigatou. Isshoukenmei ganbaru yo.Thanks. I'll do my very best.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
