率いる|ひきいるhikiiru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. ichidan verb, transitive verbto lead; to spearhead (a group); to command (troops)
    しかし城しろにたどりつくなり、近衛兵このえへいを率ひきいた人ひとによって、わたしはこの牢獄ろうごくに勾引こういんされてしまった。↗
    However, when I finally reached the castle I was thrown into this prison by the commander of the imperial guard.
Conjugation
Dictionary form率いる(ひきいる)
Polite (masu)率います(ひきいます)
Negative (nai)率いない(ひきいない)
polite (masen)率いません(ひきいません)
classical zu / nu率いず・率いぬ(ひきいず・ひきいぬ)
Past (ta)率いた(ひきいた)
polite (mashita)率いました(ひきいました)
Past negative (nakatta)率いなかった(ひきいなかった)
polite (masen deshita)率いませんでした(ひきいませんでした)
Te form率いて(ひきいて)
Potential率いられる(ひきいられる)
Passive率いられる(ひきいられる)
Causative率いさせる(ひきいさせる)
Causative passive率いさせられる(ひきいさせられる)
Conditional (ba)率いれば(ひきいれば)
tara率いたら(ひきいたら)
Volitional率いよう(ひきいよう)
polite (mashou)率いましょう(ひきいましょう)
Imperative率いろ(ひきいろ)

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym指揮しきNeutralGiving orders and directing actions, also conducting an orchestra; 「率いる」 centres on leading a group forward and does not stress issuing commands.
  • Synonym統率とうそつWrittenWritten/formal prose: commanding and keeping a whole organization in line, stressing leadership ability; 「率いる」 is a native word that leans toward leading a team.
  • Synonym統帥とうすいWrittenFormal: supreme command over military forces; 「率いる」 is used for ordinary groups and organizations.
  • SynonymリードNeutralLoanword for guiding or being ahead, as in leading a match; 「率いる」 is about leading a group of people.
  • Synonym先導せんどうWrittenWritten: leading the way from the front, as in 「先導車」; 「率いる」 is about commanding a whole group, not merely showing the way.
  • Related先立つさきだつNeutralGoing ahead of others or preceding, also dying before one's spouse or parents; 「率いる」 is about commanding a group.
  • Related監督かんとくNeutralSupervising and managing people, also a coach or film director; 「率いる」 means leading and carries no sense of oversight.
  • Related指導しどうNeutralTeaching and guiding, as in 「技術指導」; 「率いる」 centres on commanding a group and has no sense of instructing.
  • Related司令しれいWrittenFormal: command in the military or fire service, or the commander; 「率いる」 has much broader uses.
  • Related管するかんするWrittenWritten and rare: governing or overseeing something; in everyday speech say 「管理する」.
  • Related督するとくするWrittenWritten and rare: leading and supervising people; in everyday speech say 「率いる」 or 「監督する」.
  • Antonym従うしたがうNeutralAntonym: to follow or obey someone — the opposite of 「率いる」, which leads others.

Use 「率いる」 to lead a team or group; 「指揮」 for giving orders and directing, 「統率」 for commanding a whole organization, 「先導」 for guiding the way, and 「監督」 for coaches and directors.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 従したがえる。
  2. 多人数たにんずうを指揮しきする。
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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