主導

しゅどう

main leadership

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"主導" (しゅどう) refers to taking the main leadership or initiative in a situation, project, or organization. It implies being the driving force or the primary decision-maker.

Common Contexts

It is often used in business, politics, or group activities where leadership or control is emphasized. For example, "会社の主導" means the company's leadership or initiative.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 主導権 (しゅどうけん): leadership or initiative, often used when discussing control or dominance in decision-making.
  • 主導する (しゅどうする): to lead or take the initiative.
  • 主導で (しゅどうで): under the leadership of...

Register and Nuance

"主導" is a formal term, commonly used in written and formal spoken Japanese. It is appropriate in business and official contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "主導" with "指導" (しどう), which means guidance or coaching. "主導" emphasizes leadership and initiative, while "指導" focuses on teaching or instructing.

Example Sentences

かれはぷろじぇくとのしゅどうをとっている。

He is taking the main leadership of the project.

かいしゃのしゅどうであたらしいせいどがどうにゅうされた。

A new system was introduced under the company's leadership.

しゅどうけんをにぎるために、かれはせっきょくてきにいけんをのべた。

To seize the initiative, he actively expressed his opinions.