Japanese word

主体

Pronunciation

Romajishutai

Meaning

  • nounmain participant

Example

このイベントでは学生が主体です。ko no i be n to de wa gaku sei ga shu tai de su

Students are the main participants in this event.

Illustration for 主体 (main participant)

More examples

地域の住民が主体となって、町の計画を進めます。chi iki no jū min ga shu tai to na tte machi no kei kaku o susu me ma su

Local residents take the lead in advancing the town's plan.

Core concept

Identifies the person or thing that stands at the center of an action or event as its main participant.

Common phrases

  • 主体となるshu tai to na ru

    become the main participant

  • 主体として動くshu tai to shi te ugo ku

    act as the main participant

Similar words

当事者tōjisha: The person or group directly involved in or affected by an event or matter.
主役shuyaku: The person or group that takes the central role in an event or activity.
行為者kōisha: The person who performs an action, especially in a formal description.

Definition in Japanese

ある事柄で、中心的な役割を担って関与する人やもの。a ru koto gara de chū shin teki na yaku wari o nina tte kan yo su ru hito ya mo no

Word origin

主体 (shutai, "main entity") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 主 (shu, "main") and 体 (tai, "body"), describing the entity that forms the center of an activity.

Usage tips

  • When discussing an event, 主体 (shutai) points to the person or group at its center rather than simply naming everyone who takes part.

Other meanings

  • corenoun

Opposites

  • 客体kyakutaiobjectnoun

Related words

  • 主体性shutaiseiagencynoun
  • 主体的shutaitekiproactivena-adjective

Word lists with this word