司る・掌る|つかさどるtsukasadoru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Which spelling to use
司る司る is the most common form and the recommended choice for beginners. Use it when you need to write this word.
掌る掌る is a rarely used kanji-and-kana variant of 司る. You may encounter it, but 司る is the practical choice for learners.
Definitions
  1. godan verb, transitive verbto be in charge of; to manage; to direct; to administer; to preside over
    市長しちょうは市政しせいを司つかさどる。↗
    The mayor administers the affairs of the city.
  2. godan verb, transitive verbto rule; to govern; to control
Conjugation
Dictionary form司る(つかさどる)
Polite (masu)司ります(つかさどります)
Negative (nai)司らない(つかさどらない)
polite (masen)司りません(つかさどりません)
classical zu / nu司らず・司らぬ(つかさどらず・つかさどらぬ)
Past (ta)司った(つかさどった)
polite (mashita)司りました(つかさどりました)
Past negative (nakatta)司らなかった(つかさどらなかった)
polite (masen deshita)司りませんでした(つかさどりませんでした)
Te form司って(つかさどって)
Potential司れる(つかさどれる)
Passive司られる(つかさどられる)
Causative司らせる(つかさどらせる)
Causative passive司らせられる・司らされる(つかさどらせられる・つかさどらされる)
Conditional (ba)司れば(つかさどれば)
tara司ったら(つかさどったら)
Volitional司ろう(つかさどろう)
polite (mashou)司りましょう(つかさどりましょう)
Imperative司れ(つかさどれ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym統括とうかつNeutralNeutral word for overseeing and pulling a whole together, as in 「統括部長」; 司る is more written in flavour and centres on being in charge of a function.
  • Synonym掌理しょうりWrittenWritten and rare: to take charge of and handle duties. In everyday speech say 「管理」; in formal prose 「司る」 also works.
  • Related切り盛りきりもりNeutralNeutral: running a household or a small shop day to day. 司る is about being in charge of a function.
  • Related統治とうちNeutralNeutral: ruling over a country or territory. 司る centres on being in charge of a function.
  • Related君臨くんりんWrittenWritten: to reign as a monarch, figuratively to dominate a field, as in 「業界に君臨」. 司る is about being in charge of a function.
  • Related所轄しょかつWrittenWritten: jurisdiction, the area one is responsible for, as in 「所轄署」. 司る is about being in charge of a function.
  • Related治めるおさめるNeutralNeutral: governing a country or settling a dispute. 司る centres on being in charge of a function.
  • Related管理かんりNeutralNeutral, everyday word for managing affairs. 司る is more written and centres on being in charge of a function.
  • Related運営うんえいNeutralNeutral: running an organization or event, keeping operations going. 司る is about being in charge of a function.
  • Related指揮しきNeutralNeutral: commanding and coordinating on the spot. 司る is about being in charge of a function.
  • Related経営けいえいNeutralNeutral: running a business. 司る centres on being in charge of a function.
  • Related主導しゅどうWrittenWritten: taking the lead and driving something forward. 司る is about being in charge of a function.
  • Related統べるすべるWrittenWritten, with an archaic elegance: to rule or command over, and also to unite into one. 司る centres on being in charge of a particular function.
  • Related統領とうりょうWrittenWritten: leading or commanding people; also a title for a Roman consul. 司る is about being in charge of a function.

司る is for being in charge of a function or field, with a written flavour, as in 「脳が記憶を司る」. For everyday managing say 「管理」; for ruling a country 「統治」 or 「治める」; for running a business 「経営」; for operations 「運営」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 職務しょくむ、任務にんむとして扱あつかう。役目やくめとして担当たんとうする。
  2. 国くにや人ひとを支配しはいする。管理下かんりかに置おく。管理かんりする。
  3. 生物せいぶつの器官きかんがその働はたらきをする。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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