How to say 'War' in Japanese | 戦

Wondering how to say 'War' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for War is 'Ikusa', written as 戦 in Japanese.'War' in hiragana is いくさ.

word

戦

Meaning

War

Reading

いくさ

ikusa

Kanji

戦Fight, War

Explanation

The Japanese noun '戦 (いくさ)' refers to 'war' or 'battle'. It is often used in historical or literary contexts to describe large-scale conflicts or military engagements. The word carries a formal and somewhat archaic tone, making it more common in traditional stories, historical accounts, or poetic expressions. For example: The war ended「戦は終わった」(いくさはおわった). He prepared for battle「彼は戦の準備をした」(かれはいくさのじゅんびをした). Note that '戦' can also appear in compound words like '戦場 (せんじょう)' (battlefield) or '戦争 (せんそう)' (war), but as a standalone word, it specifically emphasizes the concept of war or battle.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

1457

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 戦

This word contains 1 kanji character:

kanji

戦

Meaning

Fight, War

Words Related to 戦 Through the Kanji 戦

These 16 Words contain the Kanji 戦 as well.

word

戦後

Meaning

Postwar

word

戦争

Meaning

War

word

戦略

Meaning

Strategy

word

戦う

Meaning

Fight

word

戦い

Meaning

Struggle, Battle

word

作戦

Meaning

Strategy

word

大戦

Meaning

Great war

word

戦闘

Meaning

Battle

word

戦死

Meaning

Death in battle

word

戦前

Meaning

Prewar

word

戦場

Meaning

Battlefield

word

戦国

Meaning

Warring, States

word

挑戦

Meaning

Challenge

word

敗戦

Meaning

Defeat

word

合戦

Meaning

Battle

word

戦時

Meaning

Wartime

Learn the Word 戦

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Ikusa' (戦) mean?

'Ikusa' means 'War' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.