首相

• Pinyin: shǒu xiàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 首 = head, first; 相 = minister — chief minister, prime minister

Meaning

Prime minister. The head of government in a parliamentary system.

Used specifically for prime ministers of parliamentary democracies such as the UK, Japan, Australia, and Canada. Distinguished from 总统 (president) and 总理 (premier/prime minister — used for China's State Council premier and some other countries). In Chinese news, Japanese PMs are called 首相 while Chinese premiers are called 总理.

Examples

1. 英国首相在议会发表了重要讲话。 The British Prime Minister delivered an important speech in Parliament.
2. 新任首相上台后推行了一系列改革措施。 The new Prime Minister implemented a series of reform measures after taking office.
3. 日本首相计划下月访问东南亚多国。 The Japanese Prime Minister plans to visit several Southeast Asian countries next month.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, news, diplomacy

Tone: official

Do Say

• 首相宣布提前举行大选。(The Prime Minister announced early general elections.)
• 这位首相已经连续执政十年了。(This Prime Minister has been in power for ten consecutive years.)

Don't Say

• 中国的国务院总理不叫'首相' (China's State Council leader is not called 首相 — use 总理 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 首 (first, head) + 相 (minister, chancellor). Historically 相 referred to high-ranking court ministers; combined with 首 it means the chief minister.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated