陣じん頭とう

じ

ん

と

う

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

head of an army; front line command

Refers to the position of leading troops at the front, or the commander in that position. Often used in historical or military contexts, and in the set phrase 陣頭指揮 (taking direct command at the front).

将しょう軍ぐんは陣じん頭とうに立たって兵へいを指し揮きした。
The general stood at the head of the army and commanded the troops.
社しゃ長ちょう自みずから陣じん頭とう指し揮きをとって問もん題だい解かい決けつにあたった。
The president personally took direct command to resolve the issue.

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Usage patterns

〈人ひと〉が陣じん頭とうに立たつfor someone to take a leading, front-line role (in an effort or organization)
社しゃ長ちょう自じずから陣じん頭とうに立たって改かい革かくを進すすめた。
The president himself took the lead in pushing the reforms forward.
陣じん頭とうに立たって〈動どう詞し〉to do something while personally leading from the front
監かん督とくは陣じん頭とうに立たって選せん手しゅたちを指し導どうした。
The coach personally led from the front in training the players.

Kanji

陣camp, battle array, ranks
頭head, counter for large animals

Related words

先せん頭とうN2
先頭 is the general word for being at the front of any line or group, while 陣頭 specifically means the leading position in a military or organizational command.
最さい前ぜん線せん
最前線 refers broadly to the front line of a battle or effort, whereas 陣頭 emphasizes the leader's own position at that front.

Opposites

後こう方ほうN1
後方 means the rear position, the opposite of 陣頭, which is the front-line command position.

Word family

陣じん頭とう指し揮き
taking command on the front lines; leading from the front

Etymology

Compound of 陣 (camp, battle formation) and 頭 (head, top). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the meaning 'head of an army' follows naturally from the components.