also: ざっぴょう
noun
common soldier; private; rank and file
Historical term for low-ranking soldiers in feudal armies; not used for modern military ranks.
戦国時代、雑兵たちは最前線で戦わされた。
During the Warring States period, common soldiers were made to fight on the front lines.
noun
Figurative extension: a person of low status or little importance in an organization.
彼はまだ雑兵だから、会議で意見を言う機会はない。
He's still just an underling, so he doesn't get a chance to speak up in meetings.
Rare alternate reading; lists it but it is not commonly used.
Compound of 雑 (zō, 'miscellaneous' or 'low-grade') and 兵 (hyō, 'soldier'). The reading ざっぴょう is a rare variant.