訓示

• Reading: くんじ
• Romaji: kunji
• Kanji breakdown: 訓 (kun) — teaching, instruction | 示 (ji/shi) — to show, to indicate
• Pronunciation: /kɯn.dʑi/

Meaning

Instructions; admonition; a formal address from a superior conveying guidance or directives.

A noun (also suru-verb, 訓示する) combining 訓 (teaching, instruction) and 示 (to show, to indicate). Typically delivered by a person of authority — an executive at a ceremony, a commander to troops, a principal at assembly — and carries a tone of gravity and expectation. Can imply that the address was lengthy or formulaic.

Examples

1. 入社式で社長が新入社員に向けて長い訓示を垂れた。 At the company entrance ceremony, the president delivered a lengthy address to the new employees.
2. 部隊長の訓示には、任務への誇りと安全への戒めが込められていた。 The commander's address conveyed both pride in the mission and a warning to stay safe.
3. 毎朝の朝礼での訓示が形骸化し、誰も真剣に聞かなくなっていた。 The daily morning address had become a mere formality, and no one listened to it seriously anymore.

Usage Guide

Context: military, business ceremonies, school, government

Tone: authoritative

Origin & History

Compound of 訓 (kun) meaning 'teaching, instruction' and 示 (shi) meaning 'to indicate, to show'. The character 訓 includes the radical for words/speech and carries the sense of conveying wisdom downward through the hierarchy.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Institutional