Japanese word

外交官

Pronunciation

Romajigaikōkan

Meaning

  • noundiplomat

Example

父は外交官です。chichi wa gai kō kan de su

My father is a diplomat.

Illustration for 外交官 (diplomat)

More examples

国際会議で外交官が各国の代表と意見を交換しています。koku sai kai gi de gai kō kan ga kak koku no dai hyō to i ken o kō kan shi te i ma su

At the international conference, diplomats are exchanging opinions with representatives from various countries.

Core concept

Describes an official who connects a country with other states through formal communication and negotiation.

Common phrases

  • 外交官になるgai kō kan ni na ru

    become a diplomat

  • 外交官として赴任するgai kō kan to shi te fu nin su ru

    be posted as a diplomat

  • 外交官を派遣するgai kō kan o ha ken su ru

    send a diplomat

Similar words

大使taishi: A senior representative who speaks for a country in its official relations with another country.
領事ryōji: An official responsible for consular services and assistance to citizens overseas.
外交家gaikōka: A person who skillfully manages difficult relations and negotiations between countries.

Definition in Japanese

外国政府などとの交渉や交流を行い、国を代表する公務員。gai koku sei fu na do to no kō shō ya kō ryū o okona i kuni o dai hyō su ru kō mu in

Word origin

外交官 (gaikōkan) is a Sino-Japanese compound: 外交 (gaikō, "foreign relations") combines 外 (gai, "outside") and 交 (kō, "interaction"), and 官 (kan, "official") denotes a government official.

Usage tips

  • A person does not need to hold a government post to be called a diplomat in English when the word describes skillful handling of sensitive discussions.

Word lists with this word