noun
armed forces; military; troops
Refers to the military as an organization or collective body of soldiers. Often used in formal or historical contexts.
See also: 軍隊
彼は若い頃、兵隊に入った。
He joined the military when he was young.
noun
soldier; rank-and-file soldier
Commonly used for an individual soldier, especially an enlisted one rather than an officer. Can be used in everyday speech.
その兵隊は重い荷物を背負っていた。
The soldier was carrying a heavy pack.
noun
underling; grunt; ordinary employee
Colloquial, often self-deprecating or mildly derogatory. Used to refer to a low-ranking worker who does routine tasks without authority.
会社ではまだ兵隊だから、言われたことしかできない。
I'm still just a grunt at the company, so I can only do what I'm told.