征服
seifuku[se̞ːɸɯ̟kɯ̟]
The English phrase 'subjugation' is translated into Japanese as 征服 (seifuku).
征服 refers to the act of subjugating a people or territory. It is also frequently used metaphorically to mean 'conquering' or 'mastering' a difficult task or a new field of study.
Meaning: act of subjugating (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 征服 is composed of the characters 征, which means to go on a campaign or to subdue and 服, which means to obey or to submit.
How do you pronounce it?
seifuku
Did you know?
- The reading seifuku can be confused with the homophone 制服, which means 'uniform'.
- While English uses 'subjugation' for people, a Japanese speaker might use 征服 to describe 'conquering' a food or a massive meal in a competitive eating context.
- The 'submission' aspect of 服 implies a structural order, much like how one 'wears' or 'submits' to the shape of a garment.
Examples in context
- 民族の征服（せいふく）は永久平和をもたらすことができません。Subjugation of nations cannot bring about everlasting peace.
- 彼はその地域を支配（しはい）している。He is subjugating that region / He dominates that region.
- その国の征服は困難だった。Sono kuni no seifuku wa konnan datta.The subjugation of that country was difficult.
- 彼は領土の征服を夢見ていた。Kare wa ryōdo no seifuku o yumemite ita.He dreamed of the subjugation of territories.
- 歴史の教科書には征服の記録がある。Rekishi no kyōkasho ni wa seifuku no kiroku ga aru.There are records of subjugation in history textbooks.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are discussing a historical novel.
- 蓮 Renこの本の主人公は、征服に執着しているね。Kono hon no shujinkō wa, seifuku ni shūchaku shite iru ne.The protagonist of this book is obsessed with subjugation.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だね。とても残酷な人だと思うわ。Hontō da ne. Totemo zankoku na hito da to omou wa.You're right. I think he is a very cruel person.
- 蓮 Renでも、物語の展開は面白いよ。Demo, monogatari no tenkai wa omoshiroi yo.But the plot of the story is interesting.
- 美咲 Misakiそうね。続きを読んでみるわ。Sō ne. Tsuzuki o yonde miru wa.I see. I will try reading the rest.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “subjugation” translations and entries 征服, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
