Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 首相 | shushō | [ɕɨɕo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 総理大臣 | sōri daijin | [so̞ːɾʲida̠iʑĩɴ] (narrow) |
| 内閣総理大臣 | naikaku sōri daijin | [na̠ika̠kɯ̟so̞ːɾʲida̠iʑĩɴ] (narrow) |
In Japanese, several terms are used to refer to the head of government, ranging from shorthand used in media to highly formal official titles.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 総理大臣 (sōri daijin) literally means 'general/prime minister' (総理 sōri) and 'minister' (大臣 daijin). The term 内閣総理大臣 (naikaku sōri daijin) literally means 'Cabinet Prime Minister'.
Which one should you use?
首相 (shushō) is a shorter, more general term for 'prime minister' used frequently in news headlines and media. In contrast, 総理大臣 (sōri daijin) is a more formal title used in official contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
内閣総理大臣 (naikaku sōri daijin) is the most formal and official way to refer to the position in legal or highly formal documents. 首相 (shushō) is a formal way to say prime minister. In casual conversation or news commentary, people often shorten 総理大臣 (sōri daijin) to just 総理 (sōri).
How do you pronounce it?
shushō
Did you know?
- While 首相 (shushō) is used for any prime minister, the terms 総理 (sōri) and 総理大臣 (sōri daijin) are almost exclusively reserved for the Japanese head of government.
- In news headlines, you will often see 首相 (shushō) used because it takes up less space in a vertical layout than the longer 総理大臣 (sōri daijin).
- When addressing the prime minister directly in an official capacity, the suffix 殿 (dono) was historically used, though today it is mostly seen in written documents.
Examples in context
- 首相は報道陣と会見した。The Prime Minister met with the press.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 首相 in the context of a meeting with the press.Tatoeba #148390 by bunbuku, translation #266168 by CK
- 彼は首相にインタビューした。He had an interview with the Prime Minister.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 首相 in the context of an interview.Tatoeba #104420 by ITA, translation #299271 by CK
- 首相は明日記者会見をします。The Prime Minister will hold a press conference tomorrow.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 首相 in the context of a press conference.Tatoeba #148389 by bunbuku, translation #1318674 by CK
- 日本の首相は世界的に有名です。The prime minister of Japan is globally famous.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking about the news on TV.
- 健太 Kenta今の首相は誰ですか。Ima no shushō wa dare desu ka.Who is the current prime minister?
- 陽葵 Himariニュースで名前が出ましたよ。Nyūsu de namae ga demashita yo.Their name just came up on the news.
- 健太 Kenta首相の演説を聞いていました。Shushō no ensetsu o kiite imashita.I was listening to the prime minister's speech.
- 陽葵 Himariとても重要な話でしたね。Totemo jūyō na hanashi deshita ne.It was a very important talk, wasn't it?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prime minister” translations and entries 首相, 総理大臣, 内閣総理大臣, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
