Translation guide
In Japanese, the translation of 'lieutenant' depends on the context: military, police, or historical. The most common modern military term is 中尉 (chūi) for army/air force lieutenants, while 二等海尉 (nitō kaii) is used for navy lieutenants. In police, 警部補 (keibuho) is the equivalent rank. Historical or fictional settings may use different terms.
Referring to a commissioned officer rank in the army or air force, typically below captain.
Standard term for a lieutenant in the army or air force. Used in modern contexts.
He is a lieutenant in the army.
Refers to a second lieutenant, one rank below 中尉. In some contexts, 'lieutenant' may be translated as 少尉 if the rank structure differs.
He was promoted to second lieutenant.
Referring to a commissioned officer rank in the navy, equivalent to a captain in the army.
Referring to a police rank equivalent to lieutenant.
The standard police rank equivalent to lieutenant in Japan. Used in modern police forces.
The police lieutenant arrived at the scene.
Referring to a lieutenant in historical contexts, such as the Imperial Japanese Army, or in fictional works.
A general term for junior officers, including lieutenants. Used in historical or formal contexts.
He was a lieutenant in the Imperial Army.
Can mean 'adjutant' or 'lieutenant' in a historical or fictional sense, often as a second-in-command.
Avoid directly translating 'lieutenant' as ルテナント (rutenanto) or レフテナント (refutenanto), as these are not used in Japanese. Always use the appropriate rank term based on the context.
He is a lieutenant. (unnatural)
In Japanese, army and navy ranks use different terms. 中尉 is army/air force lieutenant, while 二等海尉 is navy lieutenant. Using the wrong one can cause confusion.
He is a navy lieutenant. (incorrect; should be 二等海尉)
He is wearing a navy lieutenant's uniform.
彼は隊長の副官を務めた。
He served as the captain's lieutenant.