Translation guide
The concept of serving in the armed forces, whether as a career, a legal obligation, or a historical experience. Japanese expressions vary depending on whether you are talking about mandatory conscription, voluntary enlistment, or simply stating that someone served.
To express the idea of military service in a broad sense, such as 'He did his military service' or 'military service is mandatory'.
The most common and direct term for military service, especially in the context of conscription or mandatory service. It can refer to the system or the act of serving.
彼は兵役を終えた。
He finished his military service.
この国では兵役が義務付けられている。
Military service is compulsory in this country.
Literally 'enter the military'. A natural way to say someone joined the armed forces, often used for voluntary enlistment.
高校を卒業してすぐ軍隊に入った。
He joined the military right after graduating high school.
A more formal expression meaning 'to take up military duties' or 'to serve in the military'. Suitable for written or official contexts.
彼は若くして軍務に就いた。
He entered military service at a young age.
An old-fashioned, colloquial way to say 'go into the army' or 'become a soldier'. Often used in historical or rural contexts. Can sound rough or dated.
戦争中、多くの若者が兵隊に行った。
During the war, many young men went off to be soldiers.
To emphasize the compulsory nature of military service, such as in countries with a draft.
Refers specifically to conscription or the draft system. Often used in compounds like 徴兵制度 (conscription system).
徴兵を逃れるために国外に出た。
He left the country to avoid conscription.
Passive form meaning 'to be drafted' or 'to be conscripted'. Natural when talking about an individual's experience.
彼は18歳で徴兵された。
He was drafted at age 18.
Means 'military service obligation'. Used in legal or formal discussions about the duty to serve.
To describe joining the military by choice, as a profession or long-term commitment.
Specifically for joining the Japan Self-Defense Forces. This is the natural way to say someone enlists in the JSDF.
兄は大学を出て自衛隊に入った。
My older brother joined the Self-Defense Forces after college.
Means 'to become a military person/soldier'. Can be used for any country's armed forces, implying a career choice.
小さい頃から軍人になりたかった。
I wanted to become a soldier since I was little.
To talk about the duration of military service, such as 'two years of service'.
Pattern: [number]年間の兵役. Means 'X years of military service'. Use with specific durations.
彼は2年間の兵役を終えた。
He completed two years of military service.
Formal term for 'period of service' or 'term of enlistment'. Used in official contexts.
服務期間は最低3年です。
The minimum term of service is three years.
To express being exempt from military service or avoiding it.
Means 'exemption from military service'. Often used for medical or conscientious reasons.
彼は健康上の理由で兵役免除になった。
He was exempted from military service for health reasons.
Means 'to evade the draft' or 'to avoid conscription'. Can have a negative connotation of draft dodging.
彼は海外に留学して徴兵を逃れた。
He evaded conscription by studying abroad.
In contemporary Japan, military service is voluntary and the term 兵役 (conscription) is not used for joining the Self-Defense Forces. Use 自衛隊に入る or 自衛官になる instead. 兵役 is appropriate for countries with mandatory service or for historical contexts.
兵役 refers to the general concept of military service, while 徴兵 specifically means conscription or the draft. If you want to emphasize the compulsory aspect, use 徴兵. For neutral statements about serving, 兵役 is better.
彼は偏平足のため兵役を免除された。
He was exempted from military service because of his flat feet.
多くの国でもはや兵役は義務ではない。
Military service is no longer compulsory in many countries.
兵役義務を果たすことは国民の責務だ。
Fulfilling military service obligations is a duty of citizens.
A 'career soldier' or 'professional military person'. Emphasizes the military as a lifelong profession rather than temporary service.
彼は職業軍人として30年勤めた。
He served 30 years as a career soldier.