Japanese word

首相

Pronunciation

Romajishushō

Meaning

  • nounprime minister

Example

新しい首相が選ばれました。atara shi i shu shō ga era ba re ma shi ta

A new prime minister was chosen.

Illustration for 首相 (prime minister)

More examples

ニュースで首相の発言を聞きました。nyū su de shu shō no hatsu gen o ki ki ma shi ta

I heard the prime minister's remarks on the news.

Core concept

Names the head of a country's cabinet, whose role is to guide national government policy and administration.

Common phrases

  • 首相を辞めるshu shō o ya me ru

    resign as prime minister

  • 首相に就任するshu shō ni shū nin su ru

    take office as prime minister

  • 首相を支持するshu shō o shi ji su ru

    support the prime minister

Similar words

総理sōri: A familiar shortened form of the title for a country's prime minister.
内閣総理大臣naikakusōridaijin: The official title for the head of Japan's cabinet and national government.

Definition in Japanese

国の内閣の長として政府の方針を示し、行政を統括する人。kuni no nai kaku no chō to shi te sei fu no hō shin o shime shi gyō sei o tō katsu su ru hito

Word origin

The word 首相 (shushō) comes from the Sino-Japanese elements 首 (shu, "chief") and 相 (shō, "minister"), forming a term for a chief government minister.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese political reporting, 首相 (shushō) serves as the short, widely used form of 内閣総理大臣 (naikaku sōri daijin), the prime minister's official title.

Word lists with this word