Japanese word

総裁

Pronunciation

Romajisōsai

Meaning

  • nounparty leader

Example

党は来月、総裁を選びます。tō wa rai getsu sō sai o era bi ma su

The party will choose a party leader next month.

Illustration for 総裁 (party leader)

More examples

議員たちは新しい総裁に大きな期待を寄せています。gi in ta chi wa atara shi i sō sai ni ō ki na ki tai o yo se te i ma su

The lawmakers have high hopes for the new party leader.

Core concept

Describes the person who stands at the top of a party or organization and directs its overall affairs.

Common phrases

  • 総裁を選ぶsō sai o era bu

    choose a party leader

  • 総裁を務めるsō sai o tsuto me ru

    serve as party leader

  • 総裁に就任するsō sai ni shū nin su ru

    take office as party leader

Similar words

党首tōshu: The leader who directs a political party and speaks for it.
会長kaichō: The person who heads an organization and oversees its general activities.
代表daihyō: The person chosen or appointed to speak and act for a group.

Definition in Japanese

政党や団体などを代表し、全体を統括する最高責任者。sei tō ya dan tai na do o dai hyō shi zen tai o tō katsu su ru sai kō seki nin sha

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 総裁 (sōsai) combines 総 (sō, "whole") and 裁 (sai, "direct"), giving the sense of overseeing an entire group.

Usage tips

  • In English, governor often means the elected head of a state, but Japanese 総裁 (sōsai) commonly names the head of a political party.

Other meanings

  • presidentnoun
  • governornoun

Related words

  • 総裁職sōsaishokuparty leadershipnoun

Word lists with this word