Meaning
soldier, army, military, warrior — Often used in military contexts or to refer to personnel involved in defense or conflict.
- 兵士 — soldier
- 兵器 — weapon / arms
- 兵隊 — military troop
- 兵法 — strategy / art of war
- 兵力 — military strength
The kanji 兵 originated from a shape showing a person holding a weapon, symbolizing a warrior or soldier. Today, it broadly refers to military concepts, ranging from soldiers to war strategies.
彼は 兵士として 国を守った。
He defended the country as a soldier.
兵器の使用には 注意が 必要です。
Weapons must be used with caution.
🎧 ヘイ is the most common reading, used in everyday compounds like 兵士 (soldier) or 兵器 (weapon). ヒョウ is less common and appears in formal or historical compounds.