Japanese word

殿

Pronunciation

Romajishingari

Meaning

  • nounrear guard

Example

退却する隊の殿を務めます。tai kyaku su ru tai no shingari o tsuto me ma su

I serve as the rear guard for the retreating unit.

Illustration for 殿 (rear guard)

More examples

敵の追撃を防ぐため、経験豊富な兵士が殿を務めました。teki no tsui geki o fuse gu ta me kei ken hō fu na hei shi ga shingari o tsuto me ma shi ta

An experienced soldier served as the rear guard to prevent the enemy from pursuing them.

Core concept

Describes the force that remains at the back of a withdrawing group to hold off pursuit.

Common phrases

  • 殿を務めるshingari o tsuto me ru

    serve as a rear guard

  • 殿を引き受けるshingari o hi ki u ke ru

    take on the role of rear guard

Similar words

殿軍dengun: A force assigned to guard the rear of an army as it withdraws.
後衛kōei: A force placed at the back of an army to protect it during movement or retreat.

Definition in Japanese

退却する軍勢の最後尾で追撃する敵を防ぐ部隊や役目。tai kyaku su ru gun zei no sai kō bi de tsui geki su ru teki o fuse gu bu tai ya yaku me

Word origin

殿 (shingari, "rear guard") is a native Japanese word formed through the sound change of しりがり (shirigari), from 尻 (shiri, "rear") and 駆り (gari, "driving").

Usage tips

  • The kanji 殿 (dono) also occurs in a formal title, but 殿 (shingari) is a separate military noun connected with the rear of a retreating force.

Other meanings

  • rearnoun

Opposites

  • 先陣senjinvanguardnoun

Word lists with this word