Translation guide
Expresses the count or quantity of soldiers in military or historical contexts. Japanese uses specific counters and terms depending on formality and context.
To state how many soldiers there are, using the standard counter for people.
Use the counter 人 (にん) for people, followed by の and 兵士 (へいし, soldier). This is the most straightforward way to say 'N soldiers'.
100人の兵士が駐屯している。
There are 100 soldiers stationed.
A formal term meaning 'number of soldiers' or 'troop strength'. Used in military reports or historical texts.
敵の兵数は約5000と推定される。
The enemy's number of soldiers is estimated at about 5,000.
Refers to military strength or troop numbers, often in a strategic sense. Can also mean 'military power'.
兵力を増強する必要がある。
We need to increase the number of soldiers.
To specify the number of soldiers in a formal military context, using the counter 名 (めい).
The counter 名 (めい) is more formal than 人 and is often used in official military or police contexts.
50名の兵士が派遣された。
50 soldiers were dispatched.
To refer to the overall number of soldiers in a unit or army, often in a strategic or historical context.
A formal term for 'number of troops' or 'military personnel'. Commonly used in news or official documents.
兵員数は公表されていない。
The number of soldiers has not been disclosed.
Refers to the size of an army or military force, often used in historical or literary contexts.
To count soldiers in a historical or samurai context, using the counter 騎 (き) for mounted warriors.
The counter 騎 (き) was used for mounted samurai or cavalry. Now mostly historical.
300騎の兵が集まった。
300 mounted soldiers gathered.
人 (にん) is the general counter for people and is suitable for most situations. 名 (めい) is more formal and polite, often used in official military or police reports. For everyday conversation about soldiers, 人 is more natural.
兵士が3人いる。
There are three soldiers.
3名の兵士が表彰された。
Three soldiers were commended.
The phrase '兵士の数' (へいしのかず) is grammatically correct but sounds unnatural in many contexts. Use counters or specific terms like 兵数 or 兵員 instead.
大軍勢が城に迫った。
A large number of soldiers approached the castle.