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JLPT N110画 · 10 strokesradical 宀freq #1597

superintend, manager, rule

On'yomi (音読み)

  • サイ

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

Mnemonic

A manager sitting under a roof (宀) makes sure everything runs smoothly, like a ruler overseeing their domain.

About this kanji

The kanji 宰 (sai) primarily means to superintend or manage and is often used in the context of leadership and governance. It generally functions as a noun rather than a verb. Common compounds include 宰相 (さいしょう, saishou), which means "prime minister," and 主宰 (しゅさい, shusai), meaning "chairmanship" or "to preside over." Another example is 宰領 (さいりょう, sairyou), which translates to "supervision." Keep in mind that this kanji is less frequently used in everyday conversation, as it pertains to formal titles or concepts related to governance.

Example sentences

  • 彼は小国の宰相だ。

    He is the prime minister of a small country.

Meanings across languages

English
superintend, manager, rule
Tiếng Việt
giám sát
日本語
監督
한국어
감독
中文
监督
id
mengawasi, mengelola, memerintah
th
ดูแล, บริหาร, ปกครอง
es
supervisar, gobernar, dirigir
fr
surveiller, gérer, régner
de
aufzunehmen, verwalten, regieren
pt
supervisionar, gerenciar, governar

Common compounds

  • 宰相さいしょうprime minister, premier, chancellor
  • 主宰しゅさいchairmanship, presidency, management
  • 宰領さいりょうsupervision, superintendence, management
  • 冢宰ちょうさいMinister of State (Zhou dynasty China)
  • 大宰おおみこともちgovernment official working for the daizaifu
  • 厨宰ちゅうさいchef, head cook
  • 主宰者しゅさいしゃpresident, chairman
  • 大宰府だざいふdazaifu (under the ritsuryō system, governmental office with jurisdiction over Kyushu, Iki and Tsushima)

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