兵役(へいえき)

へいえき
noun
military service; conscription
1. military service; conscription; compulsory military duty
The obligation or act of serving in the military, especially through a draft or conscription system. Japan abolished conscription after World War II, so the word is mainly used historically or when discussing other countries.
兵役(へいえき)に就(つ)く。
To enter military service.
その国(くに)では男性(だんせい)に兵役(へいえき)の義務(ぎむ)がある。
In that country, men are obligated to serve in the military.
祖父(そふ)は戦時中(せんじちゅう)に兵役(へいえき)に召集(しょうしゅう)され、三(さん)年間(ねんかん)軍(ぐん)に服(ふく)した。
My grandfather was called up for military service during the war and served three years in the army.

Composed of 兵(へい) (soldier) + 役(えき) (service, duty). Japan's constitution renounces war and maintains no draft system, so 兵役(へいえき) is primarily used in historical contexts (pre-1945 Japan) or when discussing countries that still have conscription, such as South Korea, Israel, or Singapore.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 兵役(へいえき)に就(つ)く: to enter military service
  • 兵役(へいえき)の義務(ぎむ): military service obligation
  • 兵役(へいえき)を免(まぬが)れる: to be exempt from military service
  • 兵役(へいえき)拒否(きょひ): conscientious objection; refusal of military service
  • 兵役(へいえき)に召集(しょうしゅう)される: to be called up for service

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 徴兵(ちょうへい): conscription, the draft (the system of mandatory enrollment)
  • 従軍(じゅうぐん): serving in a military campaign (emphasizes active duty in a specific conflict)
  • 入隊(にゅうたい): enlistment, joining a military unit
general
Added 2026.3.27 16:20
19500/19964_heieki