軍
Meanings
Refers to a nation's military forces as a whole, or a specific branch like an army. Often used in compounds such as 陸軍 (army), 海軍 (navy), 空軍 (air force).
See also: 軍隊
He enlisted in the army.
Military exercises were conducted.
military authorities; military leadership
Refers to the military as an institution or its leadership, especially in political or historical contexts. Often seen in phrases like 軍部 (military clique) or 軍の圧力 (military pressure).
See also: 軍部
At that time, the military had strong influence over politics.
Used as a suffix or in compounds to refer to a group of people organized for a common purpose, often with a competitive or collective nuance. Common in words like 女性軍 (women's team), 応援軍 (cheering squad), or 救援軍 (relief team).
See also: 女性軍 (じょせいぐん)
The women's group arrived at the venue first.
He headed to the disaster area as part of a relief team.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が軍を率いるfor someone to lead an army
The general led the army toward the battlefield.
- 〈人〉が軍に入るfor someone to join the military
He joined the military at the age of 18.
- 〈事〉に軍が介入するfor the military to intervene in a matter
The military intervened in the government's decision.
- 〈人〉軍a team or group made up of a specified kind of people
The women's team won this year's contest.
- 軍を解散するto disband the army
After the war ended, the army was disbanded.
Expressions
- 勝てば官軍might is right; history is written by the victors
- 軍を進めるmove troops forward; advance an army
- 敗軍の将は兵を語らずdon't be a sore loser; don't make excuses for your failures; a defeated general should not talk of strategy
- 勝てば官軍、負ければ賊軍might is right; history is written by the victors