JLPT · Level 188
15 words
Japanese word
元首
Pronunciation
Romajigenshu
Meaning
- nounhead of state
Example
外国の元首が日本を訪問しました。gai koku no gen shu ga nihon o hō mon shi ma shi ta
A foreign head of state visited Japan.
More examples
憲法に基づいて元首の権限が定められています。ken pō ni moto zu i te gen shu no ken gen ga sada me ra re te i ma su
The powers of the head of state are defined by the constitution.
Core concept
Focuses on the highest official figure who represents a state in its relations and national identity.
Common phrases
元首に就任するgen shu ni shū nin su ru
assume office as head of state
元首の訪問gen shu no hō mon
visit by a head of state
元首を務めるgen shu o tsuto me ru
serve as head of state
Definition in Japanese
国家を公式に代表する最高位の人物。kok ka o kō shiki ni dai hyō su ru sai kō i no jin butsu
Word origin
As a Sino-Japanese compound, 元首 (genshu) combines 元 (gen, "first" or "chief") with 首 (shu, "head") to mean the chief representative of a state.
Usage tips
- In English, head of state often differs from head of government, so a monarch may be head of state while a prime minister leads the government.
Other meanings
- rulernoun
- sovereignnoun
Related words
- 元首制genshuseihead-of-state systemnoun