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

Related Words

Compare: 従軍(じゅうぐん) (serving in a military campaign)

Compare: 入隊(にゅうたい) (enlistment, joining a military unit)

general

Added 2026.3.27 16:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

19500/19964_heieki