リーダー
rīdā[ɾʲiːda̠ː]
The English phrase "leader" can be translated into Japanese as リーダー (rīdā). Wiktionary also lists 指導者 (shidōsha) and 統率者 (tōsotsusha).
Meaning: one having authority (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| リーダー | rīdā | [ɾʲiːda̠ː] (narrow) |
| 指導者 | shidōsha | [ɕido̞ːɕa̠] (narrow) |
| 統率者 | tōsotsusha | [to̞ːso̞t͡sɨ̥ɕa̠] (narrow) |
| 長 | osa | [t͡ɕo̞ː] (narrow) [o̞sa̠] (narrow) |
| 頭 | kashira | [a̠ta̠ma̠] (narrow) [ka̠ɕiɾa̠] (narrow) |
| 首領 | shuryō | [ɕɨɾʲo̞ː] (narrow) |
What does it mean word for word?
The word 指導者 is composed of 指導 (guidance/instruction) and 者 (person).
Which one should you use?
指導者 is used for more formal or political contexts, often implying someone who provides guidance, direction or ideological leadership. 首領 is typically used for the heads of criminal organizations, gangs or highly structured, often secretive, groups. 頭 is used colloquially to refer to the head or chief of a small group, such as a gang or a specific faction.
How do you pronounce it?
rīdā
Did you know?
- While the character 長 means 'leader', it is also the root of the word 幼い (infantile), which literally means 'not having 長' or lacking seniority.
- The character 長 functions as a suffix in many titles to denote a person in charge, such as in 校長 (school principal) or 局長 (department head).
- The word 指導者 (leader) is frequently used in Japanese to describe legendary figures or ideological mentors, rather than just a person with a job title.
Examples in context
- トムは彼らのリーダーだ。Tom is their leader.This sentence shows how to use リーダー to identify a person's role in a group.Tatoeba #2128062 by bunbuku, translation #1868152 by CK
- 彼は明らかに有能な指導者だ。He is admittedly an able leader.This sentence uses 指導者 to describe someone who is an able leader in a more formal sense.Tatoeba #99629 by bunbuku, translation #304068 by CM
- 一行のリーダーは有名な科学者だ。The leader of the party is a famous scientist.This sentence demonstrates the use of リーダー when describing the head of a party or group.Tatoeba #190633 by bunbuku, translation #27793 by CK
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two siblings are discussing a new school club.
- 陽葵 Himari新しい部のリーダーは誰？Atarashii bu no rīdā wa dare?Who is the leader of the new club?
- 陽太 Yota田中さんがリーダーになる予定だよ。Tanaka-san ga rīdā ni naru yotei dayo.Tanaka-san is planning to be the leader.
- 陽葵 Himari彼はとても頼りになる人だね。Kare wa totemo tayori ni naru hito dane.He is a very reliable person, isn't he?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、みんな彼についていくよ。Un, minna kare ni tsuite iku yo.Yeah, everyone follows him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leader” translations and entries リーダー, 指導者, 統率者, 長, 頭, 首領, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 指導者, 統率者, 長, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
