Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

上等兵曹 (joutouheisou) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

上じょう等とう兵へい曹そう

じょ

う

と

う

へ

い

そ

う

Meanings

1

chief petty officer

A rank in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, equivalent to a senior non-commissioned officer. Not used in civilian contexts.

彼かれは海かい上じょう自じ衛えい隊たいで上じょう等とう兵へい曹

そう

と

し

て

勤きん

務む

し

て

いる

。

He serves as a chief petty officer in the Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Kanji

上above, up
等etc., and so forth, class (first)
兵soldier, private, troops
曹office, official, comrade

Related words

兵へい曹そう長ちょう
兵曹長 is a higher rank than 上等兵曹, equivalent to master chief petty officer.
一いっ等とう兵へい曹そう
一等兵曹 is one rank below 上等兵曹, equivalent to petty officer first class.

Built from

上じょう等とう+兵へい曹そう

Etymology

Compound of 上等 (jōtō, 'superior grade') and 兵曹 (heisō, 'petty officer'), a term adopted in the modern Japanese naval ranking system.