Meaning
The kanji 軍 (ぐん) primarily signifies 'army,' 'military,' or 'troops.' It's a foundational character for discussing armed forces, warfare, or any organized group for battle. Its core meaning extends to broader military affairs and specific military units.
Historically and etymologically, 軍 is a phono-semantic compound. The bottom component, 車 (sha/kuruma), depicts a 'chariot' or 'vehicle,' which was crucial in ancient warfare. The top part is often interpreted as either weapons, a shield, or an enclosure (勹) holding a weapon (symbolizing soldiers or tools of war). Together, these elements visually suggest an organized force of chariots (or vehicles) with armed personnel, gathered for battle or military action. This imagery powerfully conveys the essence of a military formation.
This character has 9 strokes and is taught in the 4th grade of Japanese elementary schools. This relatively early introduction in the curriculum is notable, given its N2 JLPT level classification. Understanding its components helps learners grasp its various applications in compound words, which consistently revolve around military and armed forces.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary, and almost exclusive, on'yomi reading for 軍 is グン. This reading is exceedingly common in modern Japanese, appearing in the vast majority of military-related compounds.
- グン is used in words referring to military personnel, organizations, equipment, and concepts. For instance, in 軍人 (soldier), 軍隊 (army), or 軍事 (military affairs).
Examples:
- 軍人 (gunjin) — soldier, military personnel
This compound combines 軍 (military) and 人 (person) to mean a member of the military.
- 軍隊 (guntai) — army, troops
Here, 軍 (military) combines with 隊 (unit/corps) to form a general term for an organized military force.
- 海軍 (kaigun) — navy
This word is composed of 海 (sea) and 軍 (military), referring to the naval branch of a military force.
- 空軍 (kuugun) — air force
Combining 空 (sky/air) and 軍 (military), this denotes the air branch of a military.
- 軍事 (gunji) — military affairs, military matters
This term combines 軍 (military) and 事 (affair/matter), referring to anything related to military activities or strategies.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
While some older dictionaries list いくさ as a kun'yomi for 軍, this usage is extremely rare and largely obsolete in modern Japanese. The word いくさ, meaning 'war' or 'battle,' is almost exclusively written with the kanji 戦 in contemporary usage. For practical purposes when learning N2 kanji, it's best to consider 軍 as having no commonly used kun'yomi.
Should you encounter 軍, it would be in highly archaic texts or specific poetic contexts, referring to 'war' or 'a battle.'
- 軍 (ikusa) — war, battle (archaic, literary, or poetic)
Crucially, this reading is not productive; learners should primarily focus on the on'yomi グン.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 軍 forms many essential compounds, frequently appearing in political, historical, and news contexts. Below are some key words, categorized by theme:
Military Personnel & Leadership
- 軍人 (gunjin) — soldier, military personnel
- 兵士 (heishi) — soldier, private
- 将軍 (shōgun) — general (military rank), shogun (historical title)
Military Branches & Organizations
- 軍隊 (guntai) — army, troops, military force
- 陸軍 (rikugun) — army (ground force)
- 海軍 (kaigun) — navy
- 空軍 (kuugun) — air force
Military Affairs & Concepts
- 軍事 (gunji) — military affairs, military matters
- 軍備 (gunbi) — military preparations, armaments
- 軍用 (gunyō) — military use, for military purposes
- 軍事力 (gunjiryoku) — military power, military strength
Military Equipment & Structures
- 軍艦 (gunkan) — warship, naval vessel
- 軍服 (gunpuku) — military uniform
Actions & Outcomes in Warfare
- 従軍 (jūgun) — serving in the military, campaigning
- 敗軍 (haigun) — defeated army
Example Sentences
彼は軍人になることを夢見ています。
Kare wa gunjin ni naru koto o yumemite imasu.
He dreams of becoming a soldier.
日本には自衛隊がありますが、正式な軍ではありません。
Nihon ni wa jieitai ga arimasu ga, seishiki na gun de wa arimasen.
Japan has the Self-Defense Forces, but they are not officially an army.
昔、この国は強大な軍隊を持っていました。
Mukashi, kono kuni wa kyōdai na guntai o motte imashita.
In ancient times, this country had a powerful army.
海軍は船で、空軍は飛行機で活動します。
Kaigun wa fune de, kūgun wa hikōki de katsudō shimasu.
The navy operates by ship, and the air force operates by plane.
将軍は兵士たちに前進を命じました。
Shōgun wa heishi-tachi ni zenshin o meijimashita.
The general commanded the soldiers to advance.
その国は軍事力を増強しています。
Sono kuni wa gunjiryoku o zōkyō shite imasu.
That country is strengthening its military power.
軍用機が上空を通過していきました。
Gunyōki ga jōkū o tsūka shite ikimashita.
A military aircraft passed overhead.
彼は第二次世界大戦中に従軍しました。
Kare wa dainiji sekai taisenchū ni jūgun shimashita.
He served in the military during World War II.
敗軍の将兵は捕虜となりました。
Haigun no shōhei wa horyo to narimashita.
The soldiers of the defeated army became prisoners.
軍事機密は厳重に守られています。
Gunjikimitsu wa genjū ni mamorarete imasu.
Military secrets are strictly protected.
Memory Tip
To remember 軍, visualize its components. The bottom part, 車, represents a 'car,' 'chariot,' or 'vehicle.' The top part, though not a standalone radical, can be imagined as a 'cover' or 'enclosure' (like 勹) protecting a 'spear' or 'weapon' (the single stroke within). Imagine an ancient 'chariot' (車) carrying 'soldiers with spears' or 'weapons' under a 'protective cover.' This vivid image of organized 'vehicles and armed personnel' gathering or moving together powerfully reinforces the kanji's meaning of 'army,' 'military,' or 'troops.'