兵隊

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 兵隊 is read as へいたい and is a noun for a soldier, also used for a soldier-shaped doll.
• Basic usage: A soldier guarding a gate appears in 兵隊が城門を守る, while arranging soldier dolls appears in 兵隊の人形を並べる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Actual person and doll
  • Context distinguishes an actual soldier from the figure represented by a doll.
• Difference from 軍隊
  • 兵隊 denotes a person serving in the organization, not the military organization as a whole.