How to say "colonel" in Japanese

• 大佐たいさCommon
  nounThe common word for the rank of colonel, and also for the equivalent navy rank of captain. This is the word you want in most contexts, including foreign militaries.
  彼かれは２年ねん前まえに、大佐たいさの階級かいきゅうに昇進しょうしんした。↗

  He was raised to the rank of colonel two years ago.
• 一佐いっさ
  nounA Self-Defense Force rank name: colonel in the Air and Ground Self-Defense Forces, captain in the Maritime Self-Defense Force. Less common than the general word 大佐.
• 一等空佐いっとうくうさ
  nounColonel in the Air Self-Defense Force. A service-specific rank name rather than the general word; less common, and it does not cover the other services.
• 一等陸佐いっとうりくさ
  nounColonel in the Ground Self-Defense Force. A service-specific rank name, less common than 大佐; it does not cover the maritime or air forces.

Use 大佐 for colonel in general, including the equivalent navy rank of captain; the others are Self-Defense Force rank names: 一佐 (air and ground colonel, maritime captain), 一等空佐 (air force), 一等陸佐 (ground force).

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 大佐たいさcolonel
• 一佐いっさcolonel (JASDF, JGSDF)
• 一等空佐いっとうくうさcolonel (JASDF)
• 一等陸佐いっとうりくさcolonel (JGSDF)
• 空佐くうさ(Self Defense Force's Air Force) colonel (defence)