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Yojijukugo

Japanese meaning of 千軍万馬

Reading:

せんぐんばんば (sengun banba)

English Translation:

Experienced veteran; one who has seen countless battles

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

An expression describing someone with vast battle experience, literally “a thousand armies and ten thousand horses.”
日本語で読む
「千の軍勢と万の馬」という意味で、多くの戦いを経験してきたこと。

Cultural Context:

Used both literally for seasoned warriors and figuratively for highly experienced professionals.
日本語で読む
熟練の戦士だけでなく、豊富な経験を持つ専門家を比喩的に表す際にも使われる。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• Noun phrase with “の経験” or “の兵” to describe a person seasoned by many battles (“千軍万馬の兵”).<br>• Used figuratively for extensive experience in various fields.
日本語で読む
• 多くの戦を経験した人物を表す「〜の経験」「〜の兵」（例：「千軍万馬の兵」）。<br>• 比喩的に多分野での豊富な経験にも使われる。

Trap for English Speakers

Might be interpreted as simply “experienced,” but it implies resilience and capability proven in numerous trials.
日本語で読む
単なる経験豊富ではなく、多くの試練を経て培った胆力と実力を伴う点に注意。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 彼は千軍万馬の経験を持つベテランだ。

    He is a veteran with the experience of countless battles.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 千軍万馬の経験者が、静かに将棋盤の前に座った。

    A battle-hardened veteran quietly sat in front of the shogi board.

Quick check

Meaning

What does 「千軍万馬」 mean?

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