本営(ほんえい)

ほんえい
noun
headquarters; main camp; base of operations
formalmilitarypolitics
1. headquarters; main camp; base of operations
The central command post or main base from which operations are directed. Originally a military term for the commander's main camp, now also used figuratively for any central base of activity.
将軍(しょうぐん)は本営(ほんえい)に戻(もど)った。
The general returned to headquarters.
大本営(だいほんえい)から命令(めいれい)が下(くだ)された。
Orders were issued from the Imperial General Headquarters.
選挙(せんきょ)運動(うんどう)の本営(ほんえい)を駅前(えきまえ)に構(かま)えた。
They set up their campaign headquarters in front of the station.

A compound of 本(ほん) (main, head) and 営(えい) (camp, barracks). Originally referred to the main camp of a commanding officer during wartime, now also used figuratively for any central base of operations.

Common collocations

Etymology

大本営(だいほんえい) (Imperial General Headquarters) was the supreme military command center during World War II. The expression 大本営発表(だいほんえいはっぴょう) (Imperial Headquarters announcement) is now used sarcastically to mean 'official announcement that distorts the truth,' since wartime communiqués often exaggerated successes and concealed defeats.

Similar words

  • 本部(ほんぶ): headquarters — the most common modern term for organizational or corporate headquarters; 本営(ほんえい) retains a stronger military or campaign connotation
  • 司令部(しれいぶ): command post — specifically a military command center
  • 拠点(きょてん): base, stronghold — a more general term for any operational base

Related Words

Compare: 本部(ほんぶ) (headquarters)
Compare: 司令部(しれいぶ) (command post)
Compare: 拠点(きょてん) (base, stronghold)
general
Added 2026.4.12 16:49 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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