第二次世界大戦
dainiji sekai taisen
The English phrase "world war 2" is translated into Japanese as 第二次世界大戦 (dainiji sekai taisen).
This phrase refers to the global military conflict that took place from 1939 to 1945.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 第二次 (second), 世界 (world) and 大戦 (great war).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the number '2' is expressed using the kanji for 'second' (第二) rather than the cardinal number 'two' (二).
How do you pronounce it?
dainiji sekai taisen
Did you know?
- The word for 'world', 世界, has a fascinating internal logic. It is composed of the characters for 'generation' or 'age' and 'boundary' or 'limit', conceptually framing the world as the 'limit of an age'.
- Japanese textbooks often replace 第二次世界大戦 with the term 太平洋戦争 'Pacific War' when discussing the conflict from a domestic perspective.
- While English speakers often use 'WWII', Japanese speakers almost never use an abbreviation for 第二次世界大戦 in formal text. They prefer the full, rhythmic phrase or the shortened 大戦 if the context is already established.
Examples in context
- 二次世界大戦は、人類史において重要な出来事です。World War 2 is an important event in human history.
- 第二次世界大戦について勉強しています。Dai-niji sekai taisen ni tsuite benkyou shite imasu.I am studying about World War II.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a history documentary in a library.
- 蓮 Renこの映画は第二次世界大戦を描いています。Kono eiga wa dai-niji sekai taisen o egaite imasu.This movie depicts World War II.
- 陽葵 Himariとてもリアルな内容ですね。Totemo riaru na naiyou desu ne.It is a very realistic content, isn't it?
- 蓮 Ren陽葵さんは歴史が好きですか？Himari-san wa rekishi ga suki desu ka?Himari, do you like history?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、少し興味があります。Hai, sukoshi kyoumi ga arimasu.Yes, I am a little interested.
