noun
government soldier; government forces
Historical term for soldiers belonging to the government or imperial side, often contrasted with rebel or private armies. Common in contexts like the Boshin War or early Meiji period.
戊辰戦争では、官兵が旧幕府軍と戦った。
In the Boshin War, government forces fought against the former shogunate army.
noun
officers and enlisted; officers and other ranks
Collective term for both commissioned officers and enlisted personnel within a military organization. Used in historical or formal military contexts.
当時の軍隊では、官兵の区別が厳しかった。
In the military of that time, the distinction between officers and enlisted men was strict.
Compound of 官 (government, official) and 兵 (soldier). The term emerged in the late Edo to early Meiji period to distinguish imperial/government forces from those of the shogunate or domains.