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How to Say "military" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ejército

nounA2general
Use 'ejército' when referring to the armed forces as a whole institution, like 'the army' or 'the military'.

Examples

Mi hermano se alistó en el ejército el año pasado.

My brother enlisted in the army last year.

militar

mee-lee-TAR/miliˈtaɾ/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'militar' as an adjective when it directly modifies a noun and means 'relating to armed forces', often used in common phrases like 'military service'.
A large, sturdy green military transport helicopter flying low across a simple landscape.

Examples

El servicio militar es obligatorio en algunos países.

Military service is mandatory in some countries.

La base militar está cerca de la ciudad.

The military base is close to the city.

Adjective Position

Like many descriptive adjectives, 'militar' usually goes after the noun it describes: 'un desfile militar' (a military parade).

militares

/mee-lee-TAH-res//miliˈtaɾes/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'militares' (plural) when the adjective 'military' refers to multiple operations, forces, or items related to armed forces or war.
A heavy green military tank with a long cannon parked on a dirt field.

Examples

Necesitan más recursos para las operaciones militares.

They need more resources for the military operations.

Las bases militares están en zonas estratégicas.

The military bases are in strategic zones.

Invariable Ending

The adjective 'militar' (and its plural 'militares') is one of those adjectives that works for both masculine and feminine nouns. For example, 'operaciones militares' (feminine) and 'conflictos militares' (masculine).

Noun vs. Adjective Usage

The most common mistake is using 'ejército' when an adjective is needed. Remember, 'ejército' is a noun for the institution (the army), while 'militar'/'militares' are adjectives describing something as relating to the armed forces.

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