空军

• Pinyin: kōng jūn
• Hanzi breakdown: 空 = 穴 (cave) + 工, sky/empty; 军 = 冖 + 车, army

Meaning

Air force; the aviation branch of a country's armed forces.

Refers to the military branch responsible for aerial warfare. In China, 中国人民解放军空军 (People's Liberation Army Air Force, PLAAF) is the official name. Common terms: 空军基地 (air force base), 空军飞行员 (air force pilot), 空军部队 (air force troops).

Examples

1. 他从小就梦想成为一名空军飞行员，驾驶战斗机翱翔蓝天。 He dreamed of becoming an air force pilot since childhood, flying fighter jets through the blue sky.
2. 空军在这次联合军演中展示了最新的隐形战机。 The air force showcased their latest stealth fighters in this joint military exercise.
3. 她的爷爷曾经是空军的一员，参加过抗美援朝战争。 Her grandfather was once a member of the air force and participated in the Korean War.

Usage Guide

Context: military, news, career

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 他在空军服役十年了。(He has served in the air force for ten years.)
• 空军一号是美国总统的专机。(Air Force One is the U.S. President's plane.)

Don't Say

• 把空军和航空公司混淆 (空军 is military; civilian aviation uses 航空公司 or 民航)

Origin & History

Compound of 空 (sky, air) + 军 (army, military). A modern term created when aviation became a distinct military branch.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal