How to say "expedition" in Japanese

Choosing the right word
  • 探検たんけんJLPT N1approx.Common
    noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers 'expedition' as an organized journey of exploration, such as trips to the poles or uncharted regions. This is the usual word when English 'expedition' refers to exploring rather than to speed or warfare.
    この探検たんけんには、お金かねがかかる。↗
    This expedition will be expensive.
  • 急ぎいそぎCommon
    no-adjectiveMatches 'expedition' only in its dated or secondary sense of speed; the core meaning is haste or hurry. For that sense it is the word you want, but it is not the natural choice for an exploring or military expedition.
    お急いそぎでなければ、もう少すこしいてください。↗
    If you are not in a hurry, please stay a little longer.
  • 出兵しゅっぺいCommon
    noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers 'expedition' as the dispatching of troops on a military venture. Use it only for warfare; for journeys of exploration or for speed, other words are the appropriate choice.

For 'expedition' in the sense of exploring unknown places use 探検; for speed or haste use 「急ぎ」; for a military venture use 出兵.

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

Japanese equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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