Japanese word

占領

Pronunciation

Romajisenryō

Meaning

  • nounoccupation

Example

その国は隣の島を占領しました。so no kuni wa tonari no shima o sen ryō shi ma shi ta

That country occupied the neighboring island.

Illustration for 占領 (occupation)

More examples

戦争が終わり、住民は長い占領から解放されました。sen sō ga o wa ri jū min wa naga i sen ryō ka ra kai hō sa re ma shi ta

When the war ended, the residents were freed from the long occupation.

Core concept

Describes taking control of a place and holding it under outside rule.

Common phrases

  • 占領下の地域sen ryō shita no chi iki

    an occupied area

  • 領土の占領ryō do no sen ryō

    occupation of territory

Similar words

征服seifuku: The act of defeating a people or state and bringing it under control.
占拠senkyo: The act of taking and holding a place, often without establishing formal rule.
制圧seiatsu: The act of using force to overcome resistance and gain control of a place.

Definition in Japanese

他国の領土や地域などを武力で支配下に置くこと。ta koku no ryō do ya chi iki na do o bu ryoku de shi hai ka ni o ku ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 占領 (senryō, "occupation") combines 占 (sen, "occupy") and 領 (ryō, "territory"), expressing control over a territory.

Usage tips

  • English occupation can mean either military control of a place or a person's job, while 占領 (senryō) refers specifically to taking control of territory.

Opposites

Related words

  • 占領者senryōshaoccupiernoun
  • 占領するsenryōsuruoccupyverb

Word lists with this word