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首相 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
首相shǒuxiàngprime minister (of Japan or UK etc)HSK 6, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #5340, Hard
shǒuxiàng(shou3xiang4)shou xiang T3
  1. 1prime minister (of Japan or UK etc)
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March 24, 2026

首相shǒuxiàng(shou3xiang4)

首相 (shǒuxiàng) refers to the position of prime minister, particularly in countries like Japan and the United Kingdom. It denotes the head of government who is responsible for running the country and making key political decisions. This term is often used in political contexts and discussions about governance.

Strokes18Frequency#5340DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Japan, the role of首相 is significant, especially given the country's unique blend of tradition and modern governance. The prime minister often faces challenges that reflect both historical and contemporary issues within Japanese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a '首' (shǒu) which looks like a head, and '相' (xiàng) which can represent 'to see' or 'to face'. Picture a prime minister as the head of the government, facing the country's challenges. The pronunciation 'shǒuxiàng' sounds like 'show sang', as if the leader is showing their vision for the country.

Meanings of 首相

shǒuxiàng(shou3xiang4)
1prime minister (of Japan or UK etc)
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About 首相

首相Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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AI Study Notes for 首相

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing '首相', as misplacing tones can change meanings. It's primarily used in formal contexts, especially in political discussions. Common collocations include '日本首相' (Japanese Prime Minister) and '英国首相' (British Prime Minister).

HSK Study Tips

Although '首相' is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK 5 and 6 political terms. Students should focus on understanding the role and responsibilities associated with this position, as well as related vocabulary for governance and politics.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '首相' with '总统' (zǒngtǒng), which means president. For instance, saying '中国的首相' (China's prime minister) is incorrect; it should be '中国的总理' (China's premier).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 首相

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Component Characters

首shǒuhead
HSK 49 strokes首
View full entry
相Xiāngeach other
9 strokes目
View full entry

How to say prime minister (of Japan or UK etc) in Chinese

“prime minister (of Japan or UK etc)” in Chinese is首相shǒuxiàng

首相 (shǒuxiàng) refers to the position of prime minister, particularly in countries like Japan and the United Kingdom. It denotes the head of government who is responsible for running the country and making key political decisions. This term is often used in political contexts and discussions about governance.

When to use 首相

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing '首相', as misplacing tones can change meanings. It's primarily used in formal contexts, especially in political discussions. Common collocations include '日本首相' (Japanese Prime Minister) and '英国首相' (British Prime Minister).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '首相' with '总统' (zǒngtǒng), which means president. For instance, saying '中国的首相' (China's prime minister) is incorrect; it should be '中国的总理' (China's premier).

Write 首相

首
相

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Cultural Notes for 首相

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While many countries have a prime minister, the powers and responsibilities can vary significantly; for example, in the UK, the prime minister has substantial influence over the Parliament, whereas in Japan, the role is often more collaborative.

Frequently Asked Questions about 首相

Make sure to pronounce '首' with a third tone (shǒu) and '相' with a fourth tone (xiàng) to convey the correct meaning.

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