Meaning

Primary

Leader

Alternatives

Boss, Chief

Word Type

noun

Explanation

Someone who has territory under their sleeve is the leader. They're the boss of all this territory because they say so, and because they shoved it all into their big sleeves.

This is a very formal word that is often used in political context, particularly when referring to the leader of a faction or political party.

Reading

りょうしゅう
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You haven't learned the on'yomi reading for 袖, so here's a mnemonic to help you remember:

It's always hard to fill a leaders' shoes (しゅう). Leaders have big responsibilities and power. Just big shoes to fill! Picture these big ol' leader's shoes, like in a literal sense. Not only do they have big responsibilities, leaders have big shoes as well.

Context

Context Sentences

領袖の言うことは絶対だ。

What a boss says is absolute.

その政治家こそが、党の領袖だ。

That politician is the leader of the party.

「領袖」と言う言葉は、現代では、政治的に使われることが多い。

These days, the word "leader" tends to be used in the political sense.

Kanji Composition