傭兵

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 傭兵(ようへい) means a soldier hired to take part in fighting for payment.
• Basic usage: It is used to describe the role of a hired soldier in historical material or fiction.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Not all soldiers
  • 兵士 broadly means a soldier; 傭兵 specifically emphasizes being hired and paid.
• Role and character
  • It names a professional role, not a personality that invariably values only money or betrays companions.