社長

• Reading: しゃちょう
• Romaji: shachou
• Kanji breakdown: 社 (sha) — company, society; 長 (chou) — head, chief, long
• Pronunciation: /ɕa.tɕoː/

Meaning

Company president; CEO. The top executive of a company.

A noun for the highest executive position in a Japanese company. Used as both a title and form of address. In smaller companies, the 社長 is often the founder and owner. Addressing someone as 社長 shows great respect for their position.

Examples

1. 社長が新しい計画を発表しました。 The company president announced a new plan.
2. うちの社長はとても忙しい人です。 Our president is a very busy person.
3. 将来、自分の会社の社長になりたい。 In the future, I want to become the president of my own company.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, business, news

Tone: respectful

Origin & History

Compound of 社 (sha, company/society) and 長 (chou, head/chief). Literally the head of a company.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Professional