率いる

• Reading: ひきいる
• Romaji: hikiiru
• Kanji breakdown: 率 (hikii/sotsu/ritsu) — lead, command, rate
• Pronunciation: /çi.ki.i.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To lead; to spearhead a group; to command troops or an organisation.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb. More formal and authoritative than 導く (to guide). Used for military command, team leadership, and organisational direction. Frequently appears in news and historical writing.

Examples

1. 彼女はチームを率いて、プロジェクトを成功させた。 She led the team and brought the project to a successful conclusion.
2. 若い監督が代表チームを率いることになった。 A young coach was put in charge of leading the national team.
3. 五十人の社員を率いた経験がある。 I have experience leading a team of fifty employees.

Usage Guide

Context: leadership, military, business, sports

Tone: authoritative

Origin & History

From the kanji 率 (lead/rate), which depicts a hand pulling threads together — a metaphor for gathering people under one direction.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal