大佐(たいさ)

たいさ
noun
colonel; captain (navy)
1. colonel (army/air force); captain (navy)
A senior military officer rank. In the army and air force, equivalent to colonel. In the navy, equivalent to captain. Part of the Japanese military rank system based on three grades: 大 (senior), 中 (middle), and 少 (junior).
彼(かれ)は陸軍(りくぐん)大佐(たいさ)だった。
He was an army colonel.
大佐(たいさ)が部隊(ぶたい)の指揮(しき)を執(と)った。
The colonel took command of the unit.
戦争(せんそう)映画(えいが)で、主人公(しゅじんこう)の大佐(たいさ)が困難(こんなん)な作戦(さくせん)を成功(せいこう)に導(みちび)いた。
In the war movie, the colonel protagonist led a difficult operation to success.

USAGE:
The Japanese military rank system uses a three-tier structure with 佐(さ) (field officer) grades: 大佐(たいさ) (senior), 中佐(ちゅうさ) (middle), and 少佐(しょうさ) (junior). In the army these correspond to colonel, lieutenant colonel, and major.

In the navy, 大佐(たいさ) corresponds to captain (not to be confused with army captain, which is 大尉(たいい)).

Commonly encountered in war films, historical fiction, and military discussions. Also used when translating foreign military ranks.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 陸軍(りくぐん)大佐(たいさ): army colonel
  • 海軍(かいぐん)大佐(たいさ): navy captain
  • 大佐(たいさ)に昇進(しょうしん)する: to be promoted to colonel
general
Added 2026.2.22 14:26
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