停戦

• Reading: ていせん
• Romaji: teisen
• Kanji breakdown: 停 (tei/to) — to stop, halt; 戦 (sen/tataka) — war, battle, fight
• Pronunciation: /teː.seɴ/

Meaning

Ceasefire; armistice; truce. A mutual agreement between warring parties to halt fighting for a period of time.

Used as both a noun and a する-verb (停戦する). Refers to a temporary halt of hostilities, which may serve as a prelude to peace negotiations but does not itself constitute an end to war. Distinguished from 講和 (peace settlement) and 終戦 (end of war). International mediators and the UN often broker 停戦合意 (ceasefire agreements) as a first step towards resolving armed conflicts.

Examples

1. 国連の仲介のもと、両軍は停戦に合意した。 Under UN mediation, both sides agreed to a ceasefire.
2. 停戦協定が結ばれたものの、散発的な衝突は続いた。 Although a ceasefire agreement was concluded, sporadic clashes continued.
3. 国際社会は即時停戦を求める声明を発表した。 The international community issued a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Usage Guide

Context: military, diplomacy, international relations, conflict

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 停 (to stop, halt) and 戦 (war, battle). Literally the stopping of warfare by mutual agreement.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal