How to say "lieutenant" in Japanese

• 大尉たいいCommon
  nounUsed for the ranks of foreign militaries: captain in the army, marines, or air force, lieutenant in the navy, and flight lieutenant in the RAF and similar air forces.
  少佐しょうさは大尉たいいの上官じょうかんである。↗

  A major is above a captain.
• 一尉いちいCommon
  nounRefers to the equivalent rank in Japan's Self-Defense Forces: captain in the Ground and Air Self-Defense Forces, lieutenant (senior grade) in the Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Use 大尉 for the equivalent ranks in foreign forces, such as an army or air force captain or a navy lieutenant, and 一尉 for the corresponding rank in Japan's Self-Defense Forces.

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

• 大尉たいいcaptain (Army, US Marine Corps, USAF)
• 一尉いちいcaptain (JASDF, JGSDF)
• 空将くうしょう(Self Defense Force's Air Force) general (defence)
• 空佐くうさ(Self Defense Force's Air Force) colonel (defence)
• 空尉くうい(Self Defense Force's Air Force) captain (defence)
• 補佐役ほさやくassistant
• バックストップassistant