中将
chūjō
The English phrase 'vice admiral' is translated into Japanese as 中将 (chūjō).
中将 is a noun used to denote the military rank situated between rear admiral and admiral. To specifically denote a vice admiral of the navy, you can use the phrase 海軍中将, which prefixes the rank with 海軍 (navy).
Meaning: rank between rear admiral and admiral (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 中将 is composed of 中, meaning 'middle' and 将, meaning 'general' or 'commander', literally translating to 'middle general'.
Which one should you use?
In the Japanese military hierarchy, 中将 (chūjō) is the specific rank positioned between 少将 (shōshō, rear admiral) and 大将 (taishō, admiral).
How do you pronounce it?
chūjō
Did you know?
- While 中将 refers to a 'vice admiral' in the navy, the exact same word is used to mean 'lieutenant general' in the army. This means the same term covers two different military branches depending on the context.
- The character 将 in 中将 is the same root used in the word 将軍 (shōgun), the title of the military dictators of feudal Japan.
- In a historical Japanese drama, you would rarely address a person of this rank as just 中将, instead adding the honorific 様 to say 中将様.
Examples in context
- 彼は海軍の中将です。Kare wa kaigun no chūjō desu.He is a vice admiral in the navy.
- 中将が閣僚に会いに来ました。Chūjō ga kakuryō ni ai ni kimashita.The vice admiral came to meet the minister.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a historical drama on TV.
- 結衣 Yuiあらすじでは、彼は中将だったの？Arasuji de wa, kare wa chūjō datta no?According to the plot, was he a vice admiral?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、彼はとても勇敢な中将だよ。Un, kare wa totemo yūkan na chūjō da yo.Yes, he was a very brave vice admiral.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くん、歴史の知識がすごいね。Hiroto-kun, rekishi no chishiki ga sugoi ne.Hiroto, your historical knowledge is amazing.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、歴史のドラマは好きなんだ。Arigatō, rekishi no dorama wa suki nanda.Thanks, I like historical dramas.
