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軍門に下る (ぐんもんにくだる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ru)
surrender ; capitulate ; submit to an enemy
Literary or formal expression for surrendering to an opposing force, especially in military contexts. Often used figuratively for yielding in a debate or competition.
負ま
け
て
軍ぐん
門もん
に
下くだ
る
しか
なかっ
た
。
He lost the argument and had no choice but to concede.
Written forms 軍ぐん 門もん に 下くだ る
Standard kanji form using 下る.
軍ぐん 門もん に 降くだ る
Variant using 降る, also seen.
Kanji 門 gate, counter for cannons 降 descend, precipitate, fall Etymology 軍門 (military gate/camp) + に + 下る (to go down, submit). The phrase literally means 'to go down to the enemy's camp gate,' i.e., to surrender.
