Translation guide
The English word "veteran" can refer to a former member of the armed forces, or to a person with long experience in a particular field. Japanese uses different words for these meanings, and the military sense requires careful handling due to differences in how military service is viewed.
Referring to someone who served in the military, especially in the context of their service or post-service life.
Referring to someone who has a lot of experience in a profession, activity, or skill.
Do not use ベテラン to mean a former soldier unless the context is very clear. The default meaning of ベテラン is 'experienced person'. For military veterans, use 退役軍人 or 元軍人.
退役軍人の日
Veterans Day
退役軍人 is the formal, official term. 元軍人 is more casual and direct. Both are acceptable, but 退役軍人 is preferred in official contexts.
彼はベトナム戦争の退役軍人です。
He is a Vietnam veteran.
彼女は30年の経験を持つベテラン教師です。
She's a veteran teacher with 30 years of experience.
The standard, neutral term for a military veteran. It literally means 'retired military person'. Suitable for formal and general use.
彼は退役軍人です。
He is a veteran.
退役軍人のための支援制度があります。
There are support systems for veterans.
Literally 'former military person'. More casual and direct than 退役軍人. Often used in news or conversation.
元軍人の体験談を聞いた。
I listened to a veteran's story.
Loanword from English, but in Japanese it almost exclusively means 'experienced person' in a non-military context. Using it for a military veteran can cause confusion. Only use if the context clearly indicates military experience and you want a casual, borrowed term.
Usually means 'experienced person' in a job or skill, not a former soldier.
彼は軍のベテランだ。
He's a military veteran. (possible but ambiguous)
The most common and natural way to say 'veteran' in the sense of an experienced person. Used widely for jobs, sports, arts, etc.
彼はこの業界のベテランです。
He is a veteran of this industry.
ベテラン俳優が主演する。
A veteran actor stars in it.
Means 'skilled person' or 'expert'. Emphasizes proficiency gained through experience. More formal than ベテラン.
熟練者の技術は素晴らしい。
The skills of a veteran are wonderful.
Refers to a senior member or old-timer in a group or organization. Often used in workplace or military contexts to denote someone who has been there a long time, not necessarily highly skilled.
彼は会社の古参社員だ。
He is a veteran employee of the company.