Chinese Character: 军
1. Character Basics
Radical: 冖/mì (lid, covering)
Stroke Count: 6
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jūn (first tone)
3. Meaning
army, military, forces, troops, soldiery, war, battle
4. Common Words
- 军队 (jūn duì) - army, military forces
- 军人 (jūn rén) - soldier, serviceman
- 军事 (jūn shì) - military affairs, warfare
- 海军 (hǎi jūn) - navy
- 空军 (kōng jūn) - air force
- 军队建设 (jūn duì jiàn shè) - military building, army construction
5. Grammar & Usage
• As a noun: often refers to military organizations or armed forces
• In compounds: commonly combines with other characters to form military-related terms
• Fixed expressions: 军法 (military law), 军备 (arms and equipment), 军心 (army morale)
• Verb usage: less common, but can be used in expressions like 领军 (lead troops) or 拥军 (support the army)
6. Cultural Background
The character "军" has deep roots in Chinese military culture and history. In ancient times, it referred to organized armed forces and the concept of warfare as both a practical necessity and a philosophical matter. Throughout Chinese history, military strategy has been highly valued, as seen in classics like "The Art of War" (孙子兵法). The character also appears in many idioms and proverbs related to war, strategy, and discipline. Today, it continues to be a key component of modern Chinese military terminology.
7. Example Sentence
中国人民解放军是一支强大的军队。
Zhōng guó rén mín jiě fàng jūn shì yī zhī qiáng dà de jūn duì.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army is a powerful army.
8. Memory Tips
The character "军" consists of two parts: 冖 (mì), meaning "lid" or "covering" on top, and 车 (chē), meaning "cart" or "vehicle" below. A helpful mnemonic is to imagine soldiers covering or protecting military vehicles, which connects to the concept of an organized army or military force. This visual association can make it easier to remember the character's meaning and structure.