Japanese word

長官

Pronunciation

Romajichōkan

Meaning

  • nounsecretary

Example

新しい長官はテレビで話しました。atara shi i chō kan wa te re bi de hana shi ma shi ta

The new secretary spoke on TV.

Illustration for 長官 (secretary)

More examples

記者たちは長官に質問しました。ki sha ta chi wa chō kan ni shitsu mon shi ma shi ta

The reporters asked the secretary questions.

Core concept

Marks the official responsible for directing a government department or public agency.

Common phrases

  • 長官に任命されるchō kan ni nin mei sa re ru

    be appointed secretary

  • 長官を辞任するchō kan o ji nin su ru

    resign as secretary

Definition in Japanese

国の機関や行政組織の長として全体を指揮する高官。kuni no ki kan ya gyō sei so shiki no chō to shi te zen tai o shi ki su ru kō kan

Word origin

The compound 長官 (chōkan) combines 長 (chō, "chief") with 官 (kan, "official"), giving the sense of a chief official.

Usage tips

  • The word secretary can suggest office support in English, whereas this Japanese title denotes a person who heads a public organization.

Other meanings

  • director-generalnoun
  • chiefnoun

Word lists with this word