Meaning and Usage
"戦争" (せんそう) means "war" and is used to describe armed conflicts between countries or groups. It is a noun commonly used in both historical and contemporary contexts.
Common Contexts
This word often appears in discussions about history, politics, and international relations. It can refer to large-scale wars like World War I or II, or more localized conflicts.
Collocations and Patterns
- 戦争が起こる (せんそうがおこる): "war breaks out" – used to describe the start of a war.
- 戦争を避ける (せんそうをさける): "to avoid war" – often used in diplomatic or peace-related contexts.
- 戦争に参加する (せんそうにさんかする): "to participate in a war" – used when referring to countries or groups involved in a conflict.
Register and Nuance
"戦争" is a formal and serious term. It is not used lightly and usually appears in news, academic, or formal discussions. When talking about personal conflicts or arguments, other words are used instead.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "戦争" with "争い" (あらそい), which means "dispute" or "conflict" but is more general and can refer to non-violent disagreements. Remember, "戦争" specifically means armed war.