How to say "govern" in Japanese

• 治めるおさめるJLPT N2approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers 'govern' as ruling over a country or territory: holding authority over a land and administering it. The natural choice when the object is a nation, region, or domain.
  王おうは自分じぶんの王国おうこくを公正こうせいに治おさめた。↗

  The king ruled his kingdom justly.
• 束ねるたばねるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbLiterally 'to bundle,' so as 'govern' it is figurative: to lead and manage an organization or group, holding its members together. It suits heading a body of people more than ruling a territory.
• 司るつかさどるJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'govern' as taking charge of a specific sphere of affairs: administering or controlling a particular function or domain. It suggests responsibility for a defined area of administration.

Use 「治める」 for ruling and administering a country or territory, 「束ねる」 for leading and managing a group or organization, and 「司る」 for being in charge of a particular function or sphere of affairs.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 治めるおさめるto rule
• 統べるすべるto rule over
• 束ねるたばねるto govern
• 司るつかさどるto rule