Translation guide
The branch of an army made up of soldiers trained to fight on foot. In Japanese, the most common term is 歩兵, but historical and modern military contexts may use different words.
The general term for soldiers who fight on foot, as a branch of the military.
Standard term for infantry in modern and historical contexts. Can refer to the branch or individual soldiers.
彼は歩兵として入隊した。
He enlisted as an infantryman.
歩兵部隊が前線に送られた。
The infantry unit was sent to the front lines.
Used in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) to refer to the infantry branch. Literally 'ordinary division'.
自衛隊の普通科は歩兵に相当する。
The JGSDF's infantry branch corresponds to infantry.
Historical term for the infantry branch, especially in the Imperial Japanese Army. Now mostly used in historical contexts.
彼は陸軍士官学校で歩兵科を選んだ。
He chose the infantry branch at the military academy.
A single soldier who fights on foot.
Can refer to an individual infantryman. Context usually makes it clear whether it's the branch or a person.
数人の歩兵が偵察に出た。
Several infantrymen went out on reconnaissance.
Explicitly refers to a member of an infantry unit. More specific than 歩兵 alone.
彼は精鋭歩兵隊員だ。
He is an elite infantryman.
Foot soldiers in pre-modern Japanese warfare, such as samurai-era ashigaru.
Common foot soldiers in feudal Japan, often armed with spears or matchlocks. Not exactly 'infantry' in the modern sense, but the closest historical equivalent.
戦国時代には多くの足軽が動員された。
Many foot soldiers were mobilized during the Warring States period.
Low-ranking foot soldiers or common soldiers in medieval Japan. Often used in historical or literary contexts.
歩兵 is the general term for infantry in any military context. 普通科 is specific to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and is not used for foreign militaries. When referring to the infantry of other countries, always use 歩兵.
アメリカ陸軍の歩兵
U.S. Army infantry
Infantry specifically refers to foot soldiers. Do not use 歩兵 for mounted troops (騎兵) or artillery (砲兵).
雑兵たちは戦場で使い捨てにされた。
The common soldiers were treated as expendable on the battlefield.