委員会 — meaning in English: Committee

iinkai · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for committee

委員会

iinkai

恋人

koibito

美徳

bitoku

事務所

jimusho

羊

hitsuji

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formal common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 委員会 (iinkai) in formal settings, such as academic meetings or corporate environments, where decisions are made collectively. For example, a university might convene a 委員会 to discuss curriculum changes or policy developments.

Synonyms & nuances

A similar term is '会議' (kaigi), which means 'meeting' but lacks the connotation of a structured group focused on ongoing tasks or decisions like 委員会 (iinkai). Use 委員会 when referring specifically to committees formed for a particular purpose.

Culture

The term 委員会 (iinkai) is derived from two kanji: '委' meaning 'entrust' and '員会' meaning 'members' or 'meeting.' This reflects the collaborative nature of committees in Japanese culture, which emphasizes consensus and group decision-making. Historically, committees have played significant roles in various sectors, from politics to education, showcasing Japan's value on collective input.

FAQ

Q.What does 委員会 mean in English?

The Japanese word 委員会 (iinkai) translates to 'committee' in English, referring to a group of individuals appointed to deliberate on specific matters.

Q.In what situations should I use 委員会?

Use 委員会 in formal contexts, such as meetings or discussions where a group is tasked with making decisions or recommendations, especially in academic or corporate environments.

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 委員会?

A common mistake is confusing 委員会 with more general terms like '会議' (kaigi). Remember that 委員会 specifically refers to a committee, while 会議 can refer to any type of meeting.

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