Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

自衛官 (じえいかん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

自じ衛えい官かん

じ

え

い

か

ん

Common word

Meanings

1

noun

Self-Defense Force official; SDF member

Refers to a uniformed member of Japan's Self-Defense Forces, distinct from a civilian employee.

彼かれは自じ衛えい官かんとして10年ねん間かん勤きん務むしている。
He has served as a Self-Defense Force official for ten years.
自じ衛えい官かんの募ぼ集しゅうが始はじまった

。

Recruitment for Self-Defense Force personnel has begun.

Kanji

自oneself
衛defense, protection
官bureaucrat, the government, organ

Similar words

自じ衛えい隊たい
自衛隊 refers to the organization (the Self-Defense Forces), while 自衛官 refers to an individual member.
自じ衛えい隊たい員いん
自衛隊員 is a broader term that can include civilian employees, whereas 自衛官 specifically denotes uniformed personnel.

Etymology

Compound of 自衛 (self-defense) + 官 (official, government position).