Japanese word

中尉

Pronunciation

Romajichūi

Meaning

  • nounfirst lieutenant

Example

彼は中尉です。kare wa chū i de su

He is a first lieutenant.

Illustration for 中尉 (first lieutenant)

More examples

彼女は中尉として部隊に勤務しています。kano jo wa chū i to shi te bu tai ni kin mu shi te i ma su

She serves in the unit as a first lieutenant.

Core concept

Describes an officer rank that occupies the middle position between a junior lieutenant rank and a captain rank.

Common phrases

  • 中尉に昇進するchū i ni shō shin su ru

    be promoted to first lieutenant

Definition in Japanese

軍隊で、少尉より上位で大尉より下位にあたる将校の階級。gun tai de shō i yo ri jō i de tai i yo ri ka i ni a ta ru shō kō no kai kyū

Word origin

中尉 (chūi, "middle lieutenant") combines 中 (chū, "middle") with 尉 (i, "military officer"), and the rank stands between 少尉 (shōi) and 大尉 (taii) in the usual officer hierarchy.

Usage tips

  • The U.S. Army and Air Force call this rank first lieutenant, but the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard call the comparable rank lieutenant junior grade.

Other meanings

  • lieutenant junior gradenoun

Word lists with this word