指揮・指麾|しきshiki[2]odaka (tail-high)
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Which spelling to use
指揮指揮 is the most common written form and the form beginners should normally use when writing about command, direction, supervision, or conducting.
指麾指麾 is a rarely used variant written entirely in kanji, so learners will seldom encounter it and should choose 指揮 instead.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbcommand; direction; supervision
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbconducting (an orchestra, choir, etc.)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 指揮する（しきする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 指揮します（しきします） |
| Negative (nai) | 指揮しない（しきしない） |
| polite (masen) | 指揮しません（しきしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 指揮せず・指揮せぬ（しきせず・しきせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 指揮した（しきした） |
| polite (mashita) | 指揮しました（しきしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 指揮しなかった（しきしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 指揮しませんでした（しきしませんでした） |
| Te form | 指揮して（しきして） |
| Potential | 指揮できる（しきできる） |
| Passive | 指揮される（しきされる） |
| Causative | 指揮させる（しきさせる） |
| Causative passive | 指揮させられる（しきさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 指揮すれば（しきすれば） |
| tara | 指揮したら（しきしたら） |
| Volitional | 指揮しよう（しきしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 指揮しましょう（しきしましょう） |
| Imperative | 指揮しろ（しきしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym統率とうそつNeutralLeading a group of people, with the emphasis on leadership, as in 「部下を統率」; 「指揮」 stresses issuing concrete directives.
- Synonym司令しれいNeutralCommanding and supervising troops or fire brigades, and also the person in that post; 「指揮」 is wider, covering orchestras and work settings.
- Synonym監督かんとくNeutralSupervision and management, and by extension a director or coach; 「指揮」 centers on commanding and coordinating a group.
- Synonym統帥とうすいWrittenWritten style: supreme command of an army, as in 「全軍を統帥する」; 「指揮」 is more general and not limited to the military.
- SynonymリードNeutralLoanword for leading people or holding the lead in a match; 「指揮」 sounds more formal for directing a group.
- Synonym率いるひきいるNeutralVerb for leading a body or troop, as in 「軍を率いる」; 「指揮」 focuses on issuing the directives.
- Synonym舵取りかじとりNeutralMetaphor from steering a boat: guiding an organization's course; 「指揮」 stresses commanding and coordinating the group.
- Related指図さしずNeutralBossing or ordering people about, with a superior-to-subordinate feel, as in 「指図するな」; 「指揮」 is the more formal term.
- Related命令めいれいNeutralAn order handed down by a superior; 「指揮」 is about commanding the whole group and coordinating its movements.
- Related指令しれいWrittenWritten style: a directive issued from above, as in 「指令を出す」; 「指揮」 is about commanding and coordinating the whole body.
- Related指導しどうNeutralTeaching and guiding, as in 「技術指導」; 「指揮」 is command and coordination rather than instruction.
- Related主導しゅどうWrittenWritten style: taking the initiative or leading the way, as in 「民間主導」; 「指揮」 stresses commanding and coordinating.
- Related指示しじNeutralInstructions or directions, focused on specific content; 「指揮」 is the overall coordination of a group.
- Related先導せんどうNeutralGoing ahead and showing the way; 「指揮」 is about coordinating the whole group.
- Related命じるめいじるNeutralVerb for ordering or appointing; 「指揮」 can also be used as 「指揮する」, with the nuance of commanding a group.
- Related命ずるめいずるWrittenWritten-style verb for ordering or appointing; in everyday speech say 「命じる」.
- Related導くみちびくNeutralTo guide people or show the way; 「指揮」 stresses giving orders and coordinating the group.
- Related引率いんそつNeutralTaking a group somewhere as its escort, as in 「生徒を引率」; 「指揮」 is about coordinating action.
- Related旗振りはたふりNeutralMetaphor for spearheading a move, as in 「改革の旗振り役」; 「指揮」 is about coordinating the group's action.
- Related音頭取りおんどとりNeutralStarting something at the head of a group or leading a song; 「指揮」 is about commanding and coordinating the group.
- Related令するれいするWrittenWritten and rare: to command or order; everyday speech uses 「命じる」.
- Related唱導しょうどうWrittenWritten style: advocating or promoting a cause; 「指揮」 is about coordinating action.
- Related督するとくするWrittenWritten and rare: to lead and command, or to urge and supervise; for the commanding sense say 「指揮する」 in daily use.
- Antonym服従ふくじゅうNeutralAntonym on the command–obedience axis: obeying another's orders and will.
Use 「指揮」 for commanding and coordinating group action, including conducting an orchestra, as in 「指揮をとる」. To stress leading a body of people, pick 「統率」 or 「率いる」. For a superior telling subordinates what to do, 「指図」; for teaching and guidance, 「指導」. The antonym is 「服従」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
