The Meaning of shikai [司会] In Japanese
司会
しかい
Romaji: shikai
N4
What does 司会 mean?
Translation and Meaning
host, emcee, chairperson, moderator
Definition
What does 司会 mean? It denotes the role of the person who acts as host or master of ceremonies at an event, guiding the program, introducing speakers, and coordinating proceedings, especially in formal settings such as conferences, ceremonies, and broadcasts.
Type
Noun (名詞)
Stroke Order
Meanings
- Emcee or host of a ceremony, event, or program
- Program moderator or session chair in meetings or panels
- Broadcast host in radio or television contexts
Etymology
音読みの結合 司 (shi) + 会 (kai) → 司会, producing the reading shikai.
Composition
- 司 = to oversee, administer
- 会 = meeting, assembly
- Combined meaning: the act of presiding over a gathering; the host or emcee who guides the program
Usage
Used in formal and semi-formal contexts to describe the person who leads a program, guiding the flow, introducing speakers, and drawing connections between segments. Common in meetings, conferences, ceremonies, and broadcasts; usage includes 会議の司会を務める, 式典の司会を任される, イベントの司会をする.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture a host who sits at the center, overseeing the gathering; the act of leading a program is like taking the chair to guide every segment.
Variations
- 司会者 (しかいしゃ) — shikaisha, emcee/host
- 進行役 (しんこうや) — shinko ya, moderator/facilitator
- MC (emcee) — loanword
Example Phrases
-
学校の 文化祭 の 司会 を 任された 少し 緊張した。Gakkou no bunkasai no shikai o makasareta sukoshi kinchou shita.I was entrusted with hosting the school’s cultural festival, and I was a little nervous.Lista:
- 学校の (gakkou no) – school’s
- 文化祭 (bunkasai) – cultural festival
- の (no) – of / possessive marker
- 司会 (shikai) – MC
- を (wo) – object marker
- 任された (makasareta) – was entrusted
- 少し (sukoshi) – a little
- 緊張した (kinchou shita) – was nervous
Core grammar: 「司会」 is a noun meaning MC; here it is paired with を任された to express being entrusted to host.
