議長

• Reading: ぎちょう
• Romaji: gichou
• Kanji breakdown: 議 (gi) — deliberation; 長 (chou) — chief, head
• Pronunciation: /ɡi.tɕoː/

Meaning

Chairman; chairperson; speaker (of an assembly). The person who presides over meetings or legislative sessions.

A noun for the person who leads and moderates an assembly, committee, or legislative body. In Japanese politics, 衆議院議長 is the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Also used for chairs of corporate boards or community meetings. A formal title that implies authority to direct proceedings.

Examples

1. 議長が会議の開始を宣言した。 The chairman declared the meeting open.
2. 新しい議長が選ばれた。 A new chairperson was elected.
3. 議長の許可なく発言してはいけない。 You may not speak without the chairman's permission.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, meetings, organizations

Tone: formal

Origin & History

Composed of 議 (deliberation, discussion) and 長 (chief, head). Together they describe the head of deliberations — the leader who presides over discussions.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal