JLPT N1

外相

がいしょう

Foreign Minister

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

外

Radical: —

相

Radical: —

Meaning and Role

The word 外相 (がいしょう) refers to the Foreign Minister, the government official responsible for a country's foreign affairs and diplomacy. This position is typically part of the cabinet and plays a key role in international relations.

Usage in Context

You will often see 外相 used in news reports, political discussions, and international diplomacy contexts. It is a formal term and used mainly in official or serious conversations.

Common Collocations

  • 外相会談 (がいしょうかいだん): foreign ministers' meeting, a formal discussion between foreign ministers of different countries.
  • 新外相 (しんがいしょう): new foreign minister, used when a new person takes office.
  • 外相声明 (がいしょうせいめい): foreign minister's statement, an official announcement or declaration.

Register and Nuance

外相 is a formal and official title. It is not used casually. When talking about foreign ministers in informal settings, people might use more general terms like 大臣 (minister) with context.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 外相 with 外務大臣 (がいむだいじん), which also means Foreign Minister but is a more formal or official title used in some contexts. However, 外相 is the more commonly used term in media and conversation.

Example Sentences

がいしょう は こくさい かいぎ で じゅうよう な はつげん を した。

The Foreign Minister made an important statement at the international conference.

がいしょう かいだん で りょうこく の かんけい きょうか が はなしあわれた。

At the foreign ministers' meeting, the strengthening of relations between the two countries was discussed.

あたらしい がいしょう が しゅうにん して、がいこう せいさく が かわる かもしれない。

A new Foreign Minister has taken office, so the foreign policy might change.