総選挙

• Reading: そうせんきょ
• Romaji: sōsenkyo
• Kanji breakdown: 総 (sō/subete) — overall, general; 選 (sen/era) — to select; 挙 (kyo/age) — to conduct, raise
• Pronunciation: /soː.seɴ.kjo/

Meaning

General election. A nationwide election in which all or most seats in a legislative body are contested simultaneously.

In Japan, 総選挙 specifically refers to a general election for the House of Representatives (衆議院), where all 465 seats are contested. It must be held at least once every four years, but the Prime Minister can dissolve the lower house at any time. Distinguished from 参議院選挙 (House of Councillors election), where only half the seats are contested every three years.

Examples

1. 衆議院が解散され、来月総選挙が行われる見通しだ。 The House of Representatives has been dissolved, and a general election is expected to be held next month.
2. 総選挙の結果、野党が過半数の議席を獲得した。 As a result of the general election, the opposition won a majority of seats.
3. 総選挙に向けて各政党が政権公約を発表した。 Each party announced its manifesto ahead of the general election.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, elections, governance, journalism

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 総 (overall, general) and 選挙 (election). Indicates an election that encompasses all constituencies at once.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal